Separate

Our God wants to have a people for Himself; He wants to share His and Jesus' glory (Matthew 16:27; John 1:14) and to have a bride for His son Jesus, a bride holy and pure, without "spot or wrinkle" (Ephesians 5:27; Philippians 2:15). 

Elohim God began "in the beginning" when Adam and Eve were made in their "image and likeness" (Genesis 1:26). We see something of God's glory here, in those early days. Adam and Eve will have known God as "Father", in the same intimate and loving way that Jesus does. They will have "known the Father's business" (John 15:15), and what was "good" and what was "evil" (Genesis 2:9); they worked with Father God during the day and walked and talked together in the beautiful and fruitful garden "in the cool of the evening" (Genesis 3:8).
 
Then came "the Fall" (Genesis 3:11), sin entered the world; "sin" is everything that does not please God. Sin causes separation between humankind and God, the opposite of God's loving desire.
 
Many generations after Adam and Eve, God chose Abraham and made covenant to form a people for Himself, the nation of Israel: "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, His treasured possession" (Deuteronomy 7:6).
 
God cares for "His treasured possession" to this day. We Christians are "chosen" (Ephesians 1:14) to be "different", "holy" (1 Peter 1:16), set apart for our God who calls on His people to look only to him: "I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44).
 
Jesus calls to us: "'Come out from among them, and be separate', says the Lord. 'Touch no unclean thing. I will welcome you. I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters', says the Lord of Hosts" (Isaiah 52:11; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18; Revelation 18:4).
 
I still ponder all this in relation to my life and my worldview; Jesus is growing me into the John He always planned that I would be. Jesus' work continues: "He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber or sleep" (Psalm 121:3).
 
In Old Testament times God saw that His people were being corrupted by their non-Jewish neighbours, (and even by their Kings and those in leadership over them). Do we see something of today in these prophetic Bible words from centuries ago? "Yet my people have forgotten me; they burn incense to worthless idols, which made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths. They made them walk in byways, on roads not built up" (Jeremiah 18:15-16). Do we give our time and money to what Father God would call "worthless idols", with what is popular or "trending"? I find myself avoiding more and more what our culture presents.
 
Jesus is front and centre of the whole Bible and is the "all" of God (Colossians 1:15-20). (Some say: "He is hidden in the Old Testament and revealed in the New", I found this to be true at Bible College where we were assigned psalms to present as pre-class devotions, I always found Jesus in the psalms I was allocated). It is clear that Father God wants us to look to Jesus in "all things" (Hebrews 12:1-2)). 

I have come to see that Jesus is now in a deep and eternal relationship with me, and through that He has brought me into His Father's family as a son, and into the constant care of His lovely Holy Spirit. My response is to love in return. "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'" (Matthew 22:37).

I find that I do love our Father and Jesus and Holy Spirit, and also that Jesus is my focus; His humanity and the New Testament stories make Him so approachable. As I read my Bible I can see Him in my mind's eye (Luke 6:19). Now, through Holy Spirit's prophetic gifting, (1 Corinthians 14:1,3), I often see Him, feel His touch and hear His voice (2 Samuel 23:2). Jesus is my friend (John 15:15) and I know this to be true. Even as I write this I am singing "Jesus at the centre".. "Nothing in this world will do".. "Everything revolves around You", (Houghton, Massey, Ranney: 2014).
 
Jess Ray sings: "it may seem too good to be understood, but it's not too good to be true" - we hear her joy as she testifies to her certain knowledge of her relationship with our Saviour and Lord.
 
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:4-5).
 
I see Jesus as front and centre of everything, the "fullness" of God (Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:19), and that "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ", (Ephesians 1:3), reveals Jesus endlessly (Matthew 3:17; John 14:6-7), as does Holy Spirit (John 16:14).
 
Jesus mediates a New Covenant for us, a covenant which gives us spiritual closeness to Father, Son and Spirit, a spiritual confidence (2 Corinthians 3:3-6; Ephesians 3:12; Philippians 1:6), an understanding that, although we live in "this present darkness" (Ephesians 6:12), Jesus is with us, we have spiritual authority and can know shalom, God's peace (John 14:27).
 
It may seem that the "powers" in the world, (Ephesians 6:12), are gaining more and more control and influence over us, our societies and our cultures, but we can choose to "abide" in Jesus (John 15:4), and live a "full" and "abundant" life (John 10:10); only Jesus offers this, "by His Spirit" (John 7:39).
 
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3) - note "every", a big word.
 
"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5).
 
When we think in terms of "Jesus", we recognise His desire for intimate relationship with us, each one, and that He has brought us into His "team", (more than simply His salvation and His protection). Jesus is risen; He rules and reigns from the throne room of God; He equips us and commands us to "do the works I have been doing" (John 14:12). This is "boots on the ground" living in faith; there is no guarantee of comfort or glory. We are His "friends" (John 15:15), and also His "servants" (Revelation 19:5): "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28).
 
Paul reminds us: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" (Philippians 4:8), this verse is now on many hearts. See also Romans 13:14.

How Then Should We Live
(Also see post www.psalmsofjohn.com/2023/06/how-then-should-we-live.html)
 
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).
 
As a Christian I have found a sense of being "foreign" to my old life, but with no desire to "fit back in" with the worldly culture I consciously left behind. This was hard, and still is; we lose friends, some enjoyable activities are now "out of bounds". Happily it is rewarding too, richly satisfying.
 
I have lived in four countries. The early days in each place were exciting and also difficult. Everything was so new, truly "foreign". I assimilated over time; I "fitted in" to the local way of things, and to their kind of "English"; (birth language to all of us but with different ways of speaking, a different idiom or vernacular). I am still "assimilating" into Jesus' "way" (Ephesians 4:13), praise the Lord.
 
"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household" (Ephesians 2:19).
 
"And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine" (Leviticus 20:26).
 
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (Deuteronomy 31:8).
 
Testimony
I worked in an office where (I believe) I was the only Christian. I was blessed to be there, work was scarce and the money was good. Still, it was hard. Not only was I new, but I was "different"; I asked that people would stop using foul language in the office. Some became hostile; ridiculing or contemptuous. I was isolated and excluded from much of the comradery of the workplace.
 
Jesus found that work for me, it was not advertised. I was given some interesting and knotty problems to solve, one of which had defeated two programmers before me; my business users were overjoyed with my solution, they had been waiting more than a year.
 
By the time all my work there was finished I had found some welcome. I had opportunity to talk to some of my workmates who were experiencing deep personal troubles; they thanked me and said I was "wise and kind". This was Jesus work, He gave time for "divine encounters"; perhaps these ones saw something of Jesus' love and healing, and "Christ in me, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
 
The job was timely, and the money was welcome for our family. But perhaps I was there for those struggling, so that Jesus could touch them? I survived having to "be separate”; I know that I grew from it; this was, and still is, precious. I was aware that Jesus was "always" with me (Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 60:19-20; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).

 
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20). 

Thank you, my lovely Lord and friend.

Rick Joyner wrote about a study which showed that about 65 percent of all Americans considered themselves to be born-again Christians, but only 3 percent had a Christian or biblical worldview; viewing the world as Christ does, knowing and adhering to His teachings. [Similar numbers appear in other studies]. These results show how poorly the church is accomplishing Jesus' Great Commission; we are commanded to "make disciples", not just converts, and to "teach them everything [Jesus] commanded us".
 
"Being a committed Christian, being baptized in the Spirit, involves a reorientation of life that is significantly different from the way the ordinary modern person thinks - it is a revolution in outlook on the world [our worldview]. We are able to explain the gospel message in a way that allows people to see how great the salvation is that is being offered, and how great a difference there is between living under the rule of Christ – life 'in the Spirit', and the rule of the world - life 'not in the Spirit'". (Discerning the Times, Part 53, 2009).

 
We are saved from sin and death by Jesus' great and sacrificial work; our salvation brought our "justification" (Romans 8:30), we have been given Jesus' "righteousness" (Romans 3:22), henceforth we are being "sanctified" (present tense continuous), being set apart, separated, for our Lord, (John 17:19). Our salvation is forever. (See Note 1).
 
Go
Jesus said: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
 
Later, Paul declared: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).
 

Our God of all the Creation has plans for each one of us, His people, plans which will require our commitment and dedication. Let us ponder the words of the songs we sing to Him, and our heart and our life (1 Samuel 16:7; John 14:6).

 
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).
 
"But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you" (John 14:26 Amplified).
 
"Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).
 
Jesus said "Come unto me" (Matthew 11:28).
 
My prayer, for all of us, Jesus’ people: "O Lord, you have brought so much to our lives (1 Corinthians 2:12). Go before us please, guide us into a greater commitment to you, your way (Acts 2:42-47), and your work (Philippians 2:13). Let it be clear, both in our selves and in our lives, that we are yours. Amen". 

Jesus' words, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).

Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Note 1. Our Salvation Is Irrevocable
Even now we can be diverted, as we were before Jesus got a-hold of us: "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?" (James 4:4). These are strong words, but they do not mean that we will lose our salvation if we slip and briefly befriend the world.
 
Once we are in our Father's heavenly family we are there forever. Sometimes we see people "fall away" who appeared to be fully part of Jesus "body"; this is a mystery and only Jesus knows. Jesus is "our redeemer" (Ephesians 1:7).

 

Our Bible is clear; once we are "saved" and "in" Jesus' Kingdom, vital aspects of who we are, are changed, renewed:

• Ezekiel 36:26 - He gives us a new heart and puts a new spirit in us; He will remove from us our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh.
• Romans 8:30 - Jesus' plans include our glorification.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19 - Our bodies are now temples of Jesus' Holy Spirit.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 - We are a "new creation", the old has gone.

• 1 Peter 1:23 - We are made new, "born again".
• 1 Peter 2:5 - We are "living stones", a part of God's house.
• Titus 3:5 - He "saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit".

(Also see post www.psalmsofjohn.com/2011/02/lukewarm.html) 

 
Bless us all. Amen.

  

P.S. The photos for this post were taken on Trish and my winter-school-break holiday in the bush a couple of hours South from our house. Lovely, cold but beautiful. A true holiday, Jesus was with us :-)

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"Separate" is now a podcast in Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

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Amen.

Witnesses

"O give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His doings among the peoples!" (Psalm 105:1 - David's words). 

We are Jesus' witnesses; we walk in His footsteps. 

Whilst here on Earth, Jesus ministered, He suffered, died, rose and ascended to Heaven - He witnessed about our Father, about love, and about the Kingdom of God. He taught, He loved, He performed miracles. He said: "follow me".
 
At the end of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus gave us "The Great Commission", which is well known among Christians.
 
commission: (noun) the act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a task or duty; the authority so granted; the matter or task so authorized. (American Heritage Dictionary).
 
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20 - Jesus words).
 
Today we are Jesus followers, this commission is for us, each one, and for all Christians everywhere. I find this to be daunting but am encouraged by Paul’s words: "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11). The broad scope of the Commission does not mean that I must be an evangelist and a missionary. Rather, I discern (after all my years following Jesus), that my rôle is to help to disciple Christians (of all spiritual ages), sharing and teaching something of the beauty, love and strength of the Lord which He has shown to me.
 
(Though sometimes Jesus does enable me as an evangelist, He prompts me for a particular person; we call this a "divine encounter").
 
I am a "what? why? where? when? how?" kind of person, a seeker after truth. It is natural for me to want to share what I have learned, and to help others to grow where I have struggled.
 
Testimony was, and is, a big help and a significant feature of my Christian walk. (Testimony is the active witness of what people have seen and heard). It was the testimony of excited Christians that carried me beyond simply knowing that "God is". Here He was, alive and vibrant, this Jesus, who I did not know, vitally active in lives near me.
 
In time, Trish and I also became "excited Christians". We too came to know Jesus and to know His love and His power (1 Corinthians 2:4). Now I find that, even in my small world, there are times where my telling about Jesus' miraculous, compassionate and loving work in me, or someone near me, has had a profound effect on others. 

Witnesses of His Majesty
 
While our children were still at school I had a long time unemployed and looking for work. It was a desperate time; I learned that a man who could not support his family lost something of his "man-ness", his sense of worth and of hope. We struggled financially. We learned what it is to be poor in an affluent society. All my training, skills and great work experiences seemed worthless. A desperate time.
 
(We now know that Jesus was always with us, He brought blessings as He invariably does. We never missed a meal or had a bill reach the "debt collector" stage. But during that season our family learned to stick together and to manage, even thrive, with what we had. We are still very close and know how to love and care for one another, a great blessing).
 
Then one morning, while Trish and I were having our quiet time with Jesus, I heard "Bible college" very clearly. I looked at Trish, she had not heard these words, maybe I was mistaken. "Father", I whispered, "I want a good job, what would I do at Bible college?" In my heart I was hoping He had made a mistake, why send me when so many people I knew would really make something of the opportunity? When I shared God's words with Trish she immediately became enthusiastic: "please don't be excited Trish", I said, "I have no desire to go, what I want is a job".
 
We agreed that we would research and see where that led. We reached a short-list of three colleges and went for interviews. One school stood out. Their motto was from 2 Peter 1:16: "Witnesses of His Majesty".
 
It was clear that I was not suited for "Ministry", "Mission", "Counseling", "Youth Ministry" or "Music". That left "Theology", (the study and understanding of God). I had done some teaching as a computer person, theology people tend to teach, so this sounded "possibly ok" to me.
 
Once I was enrolled, it became my desire that "the glorious Father, may give [me] the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that [I] may know him better" (Ephesians 1:17).
 
I now have a bachelor degree in Theology. Absolutely the correct choice, thank you Father! I discovered Jesus afresh, got to know my Abba Father and, like Jesus, my sonship (Matthew 17:5; John 17:22). I learned about God's faithfulness, (Church History 1), and something of how we humans function (Counseling 1 & 2), the whole-ness of the Scriptures (Old Testament, Exegesis, New Testament, Ministry of Holy Spirit). We learned to lead "Devotions", and so much more. I began to lose my anger and my fear. But mostly I grew in Jesus. My theology teacher and I became dear friends and deeply respect one another. Hallelujah!
 
I still remember the College motto: "Witnesses of His Majesty" and believe that this is the essence of what I learned (grew in?) there; to be so centred on Jesus that He has become a key part of me, and all my thinking and life and work. I love testimony, both hearing of others' experience of God's grace and miracle power, and being able to share my own testimonies. "Witnesses of His Majesty". Those years saw me "mushroom" in understanding, after years with seemingly little fruit.
 
I learned to see Jesus as the centre of everything (Colossians 1:16); this is how Father God sees Him; (so I am in good company). God became more personal to me, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; intimately, rather than as an idea I agreed with (so, not simply propositional). The truth of "in Jesus, in Father, in me" became rooted and still fills my life and my worldview, (see Note 1).
 
These truths are the essence of the New covenant. Under the Old Covenant, God chose Israel as His own special possession (Deuteronomy 7:6) but was still over-arching. People visited God at alters, and in His Temple at specially appointed times; only the priests got anywhere near Him. The written Law was rigid and overseen by the priests, scholars and other "special" people. The priests would deal with people's sins once a year; the people had to come to the temple and make the correct sacrifice.
 
Now, under the New Covenant, our sins are permanently covered, God "takes our sins away" (John 1:29) and will "remember them no more" (Hebrews 8:12, 10:16-17). The only sacrifice needed has been made, we need only to repent from our heart; Jesus shed His blood and gave His life to pay for our meanness, wrongdoing and sins, and fully redeem us (Luke 1:68; John 3:16).
 
Now we Christians are "the temple of the living God" (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16). This is spiritual; our spirit and God's Holy Spirit are bonded together inside of us, every Christian; a mystery and a miracle. This can only be possible because Jesus has given us "His righteousness" (Micah 7:9; Romans 5:17), we are now "clothed with Christ" (Galatians 3:27).
 
God takes our history, no matter how broken or messy this may seem to us. He loves us and finds each one of us so beautiful that our Father in Heaven is preparing us to be His Son's bride, "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:27).
 
Jesus' "Great Commission" is often a subject in our prayer meetings. We intercessors know that our availability and obedience to Jesus' calling is an important part of our "new life" in Him (Acts 5:20). But I am shy, not a mixer or networker, and am slow to make friends. Talking to strangers is scary for me, I often stumble over my words.
 
But I do love to disciple and to share about Jesus. I am so blessed with the Christian teaching, training and ministry I have received; many lovely, and loving, people have been patient with me, longsuffering even (Exodus 34:6). Their work has been rewarded in my spiritual growth (Colossians 1:9-10).
 
As I was reading my Bible, I saw many "witness" and "witnesses" verses. "Ah", I thought, "this word is my link, my connection, to Jesus' "Great Commission", I am truly a witness of Him, from my heart".
 
"Witness" is a word with an exact meaning: a witness tells what he or she has seen or heard, neither more nor less. Being a witness is serious. In a court of law, witnesses are sworn to tell "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth" so that justice may be served, to lie is a crime.
 
I love truth (John 1:14). I love to find out how things work, how they "are" in their essence. Perhaps this is why I love Christian testimony, people are so clear as they share what they have seen, heard or experienced as the Kingdom of God has come near to them (Matthew 4:17; Luke 10:9). I love too how the hearers are affected; they recognise that the testimony is true, for some this is the beginning of their "knowing" Jesus, His "salvation" (Luke 8:10), and his "life" (John 10:10). They can see that blessing and life can come to anyone through Jesus, the source and giver of life (1 Corinthians 8:6) and "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). 

Bible Witness Heroes
 
Throughout history our God has treasured His witnesses. Here are some of my heroes:
 
Abram/Abraham - I first met this great man of God when I was a new Christian, a friend gave me a book about him and he quickly became a hero to me. Abraham heard God speak to him and obeyed. He left his home and headed out to "a place I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). This would have been extraordinary, at that time, for a man in his social "landed" position.
 
Abraham's obedience was not perfect, his journey was long and his reward difficult to see, but his faith was steadfast. I find this so very encouraging, I well know that my obedience has not been perfect and my walk halting and slow. I too find our lovely God faithful in the progress of my life and in my troubles, and this causes my faith to grow.
 
God "appeared" to Abraham (Genesis 18:1-2); we learn from Scripture that he encountered the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ (John 8:56). Abraham rejoiced at his understanding that God's Saviour would come to all humankind. (We see the same eternal Jesus in John 1:1).
 
Abraham’s story witnesses to us today as it has throughout history: Jesus is real, He is the God of Heaven and Earth (Colossians 2:9) "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form .. He is the head over every power and authority". Jesus was and is and eternally will be.
 
Moses is another hero. He lived a small life and had simple communication skills, then God spoke to him: "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say" (Exodus 4:12). Moses obeyed, he did speak, he helped our God change the world. Through the Bible and so many Bible stories Moses witnesses to us still.
 
Mary was unwavering in her love and devotion to both our Father in Heaven and to her Son, Jesus. Mary's prayer, known as "The Magnificat" (Luke 1:46-55), speaks to this and is known far beyond Christian circles. She endured humiliation by being unmarried while expecting her baby, and then knew devastation at Jesus' unjust condemnation and crucifixion. Another heroic witness.
 
New Testament - We also remember Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, then Paul, James, Peter, Jude and the author of Hebrews, whose witness fills the New Testament. 

And the hundreds of millions of Christians, not so different from you and me, who have shared about our lovely Lord Jesus, our faith, the Kingdom of God, and hope, love, forgiveness, healing, peace, and belonging, and who share the glory of our Father and His Saviour Son, Jesus Christ.
 
Heroes, yet simply servants; witnesses of His Majesty.
 
Praise Jesus for his ceaseless work among us all. Amen.
 
Note 1 - "In Jesus", "In Father" and "In Me" Bible References:

"On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me, and I am in you" (John 14:20).

See also: John 10:38, 14:17, 15:4, 17:21, 17:23-26; Romans 6:23, 8:1, 8:39, 12:5; 1 Corinthians 1:30, 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:6,10, 2:22; Colossians 1:27, 3:3, 3:16-19 and more ...

Also see post "In"

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Or the "In" podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

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Favourite "Witnesses" Bible Verses

 
"I have revealed and saved and proclaimed - I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses' declares the Lord, 'that I am God'" (Isaiah 43:12).
 
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).
 
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms" (Peter 4:10)
 
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9)
 
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).
 
Amen.

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Praise Jesus.

Authority

We, God's people, have authority over all the Creation; we are to help in determining how things are to be here on the Earth. 
 

God has knowledge and power; He is all knowing, omniscient, and he is all powerful, omnipotent.

Yet our Bible tells us: Satan is "the prince of this world" (John 16:11) and "the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient" (Ephesians 2:2) and will remain so until Jesus returns after our Father has put "everything under His feet" (Matthew 22:44).
 
Here is my question (I am still pondering this): What, in all the Creation, is my sphere of influence? Where can I, a simple Christian believer, bring God's mighty power, (Matthew 3:11; Matthew 10:8; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:1-2, 38-39), to my neighbour, my family, and even myself, and see God's love, glory and peace overcome some of the pain, sickness and trouble in the world?

My present understanding, (while I continue to pray and study):
 
In the beginning God gave humankind authority over the Creation: "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground'" (Genesis 1:28). These words were spoken to the first human beings, both to the man and to the woman, thus to all humankind.
 
Then, even before Adam and Eve had their first baby, Satan came and tricked them into giving him the authority God had given them. What Satan promised was less than Adam and Eve already had, yet they went along, thus precipitating the Fall with sin and death coming to the world (Genesis 3).
 
Throughout the Old Covenant, Satan had authority while God in Heaven continued in His eternal knowledge and power. We can see why things were so difficult for the Israelites during those centuries. Yet God loved Israel and her people deeply with a Father's love, He was faithful to them despite their callous treatment of Him and His way. God foresaw the cost of sending His Son to Earth to pay for all of humankind's sin, yet for Jesus' sake, He continued, and continues still, to love and be faithful to His Creation and its crown, humankind.
 
At just the right time Jesus came to Earth, "Emanuel, God with us", born as a boy child to the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:23, 25); His God-given name means "saviour":
 
"You know that [Jesus] appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin" (1 John 3:5).
 
"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).
 
Jesus' earthly ministry concluded with His Passion. Humility in God's people is a great Bible theme; Jesus, the only person who ever lived without sin, humbled Himself even unto death on the Cross (Philippians 2:8). Jesus died (Mark 15:33-38) then God's mighty power raised Him from the dead (Ephesians 1:18-23) and He ascended to Heaven where He now rules and reigns, with Father God, by their Holy Spirit (Revelation 19:6).
 
This is how Jesus recovered back (an exact legal term) the authority Adam and Eve had given away; Jesus defeated Satan, sin and death. Jesus established the New Covenant so that we Christians, the "ecclesia", His church, could work with our God in Heaven to reveal Him and share in His glory. 

Jesus gave us His authority (Luke 10:19; Matthew 28:18) and commands that we, His body, do His work on Earth until He comes again (1 Corinthians 4:5; Ephesians 2:10). Remember, Jesus is "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), "God is love" (1 John 4:8,16). We are called to pray and lend our authority to ensure that God's knowledge, power and love can do their good work as we continue to steward and care for all the Earth (John 14:16; John 14:23; Luke 10:19; Matthew 10:8).
 
This is why we are given "spiritual gifts" (1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:9-11), so that we have the skills and power to exercise this God-given authority to do good.
 
Are we the church fulfilling that rôle today?
 
How did we do last century? Well, we had World War I, The Great Depression, World War II, also many totalitarian and communist governments (who deliberately killed more than 100,000,000 of their own people while completely failing to bring their utopian paradises into being).
 
In my lifetime we have seen the sexual revolution and acceptance of many unbiblical practices which undermine the family; "family" is God's foundation and building block for every human society. Sure, there were many advances too, in productivity and prosperity and diminution of hunger and some diseases. But the church shrank in impact, in numbers and in its blessing to the people and the societies of the world. This 21st century already looks worse.
 
Happily, Christian testimony shows that when we follow Jesus and God's way, His Kingdom can be seen here and now in our midst (John 7:38; Acts 2:42-47; Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 1:27).
 
God asks us to unify, repent and pray:
"When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:13-14).
 
Those words were first spoken to Solomon about Israel's great Temple. We Christians are the present-day "temple of God" (2 Corinthians 6:16) made of "living stones" (1 Peter 2:5); we are spiritual workers for God's earthly Kingdom (Ephesians 6:10-12).

Jesus ever intercedes for us, by His Spirit (Romans 8:26), so that we can live by and for Him (Colossians 1:16). God asks us to "humble [our]selves and pray and seek [His] face and turn from [our] wicked ways [of omission as well as commission], then [God] will hear from heaven, and will forgive [our] sin and will heal [our] land". 

We may be small in number, it seems to me that we are a remnant like those reported in our Bibles. Hitler's Germany had a remnant during those twelve terrible years, as did the Soviet Union during their three generations. We know, and thousands of testimonies show us, that Jesus is truly with us and amongst us, but the world does not see Him.
 
Let us unite and care for one another. "Jesus, I pray, reveal yourself, teach us to love in your likeness".
 
We each have a place and a rôle to fill. A great theme of the Bible is that we, God's people, pray:

God is the power,

Ours is the prayer,

Without Him we can not,

Without us He will not.

(Quoted by Stuart Robinson in "Prayer Power").

Let us gather together and pray often. Let us seek our Father’s will, and lend our hearts and voices, our availability and obedience, to His wisdom and strength, for ourselves, our families, our brothers and sisters in Jesus, and for our neighbours everywhere.

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3).
 
"Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them from heaven" (John 14:23).
 
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, Intercessor, Advocate to help you and be with you forever" (John 14:16).
 
"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you" (Luke 10:19).
 
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6).
 
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give" (Matthew 10:8).
 
Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
 
Permalink: https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2024/05/authority.html
 

Truths Not Found

Right now I am pondering "truth" and am very aware that there is little truth to be found in the society I inhabit. The only consistent truth I find is among the Bible believing Christians. Most people seem to live their lives from a worldview full of untruths and are in darkness, (hence the epidemic of mental illness and the terrible rates of suicide in our time). Many people appear to live in fear.

The Bible book of John begins by telling us that Jesus brings light and grace and truth to the world. We truly need light, grace and truth if we are to lead rich and peace filled lives, if we are to know shalom.
 
But from every quarter we are being pressured to believe complete lies about life, the world and our place in it, who we are, about our history and our present society. Truths about life are hidden from our children; they are now excluded from school curriculums. It is no accident that our Western countries became so free and so prosperous; most people no longer know how or why this is so.
 
My Top Five Key Truths
Truth 1: God created everything out of love and for love and to reveal His glory. Jesus wants to bring many children to the Father's glory and the Father wants to give His beloved Son a glorious bride. Thus God created an environment perfect for humans to live in, and then created us.
Lie 1: That there was nothing, nothing at all! Then from nothing came a big bang, then something existed; and from the "something" came everything we know, the universe: time, matter, space, life. (The natural laws, which scientists totally depend on, exclude the possibility of any of this).
 
Truth 2: God planned that there would be a Universe with life in it; millions of species. He planned how cells formed, plants and animals grow and have babies, everything. Every living cell is a complex organism that can feed itself and reproduce itself.
Lie 2: That we, and all life, evolved spontaneously from matter over billions of years, all this without leaving any fossils or other traces that we can study to see what happened, or how it happened. (The number of "billions" is constantly increasing, in my early adult lifetime it was 2 point something, then for a while it was 3.4 billion, then 4.6 billion, now Harvard University says 13.8 billion!)
 
Truth 3: God is spirit, we human beings get to bond with God's Holy Spirit. His infinite wisdom gave us all the intangibles like love, family ties, memory, creativity, compassion, empathy, trust and fear. These already existed in the Godhead and are passed on to us humans who are made in God's image and likeness. We too are spiritual.
Lie 3: That the spiritual world is imaginary or insignificant, and irrelevant.
 
Truth 4: God created man and woman, male and female, so that we would be relational and caring, mainly so that we can relate to God, and have children who will grow and learn how to live in stable, loving families and communities, and we will all learn to "one another" one another. Our identity and sense of self, and our rôle in life, is based on our male-ness or female-ness; this is natural and vital.
Lie 4: That gender is both fluid and unimportant.
 
Truth 5: God gave us everything we need for life. He constantly cares for every part of the Universe according to His great plan. God also gave us charge over the natural world, requiring that we would be caring stewards. He gave us science and the laws of physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, gravity, logic and more, so that we could evaluate, create and care for our world and its resources.
Lie 5: That the climate is changing and our planet likely doomed because of global warming caused by catastrophic levels of man made carbon dioxide and methane emissions into our atmosphere.
 
The Creation And Our Climate
When we look at carefully constructed climate models we find that the Earth has shown no global warming for more than half a century; many show that if temperatures are changing, they are cooling, ever so slightly. There is NO global warming.
 
AND, our atmosphere is not in any danger, the increase in carbon dioxide is helping forests and farm crop-yields which grow by consuming CO₂, water and other nutrients. Planet Earth produces so much methane in various ways, that what comes from cows is insignificant.
 
Logic therefore tells us that any changes to our climate must be caused by something other than these gases. Do scientists not want to tell us (and their bosses) that they have not yet discovered the cause?
 
The good news is that there have been times in demonstrable Earth history when weather systems and atmospheric CO₂ and methane levels were much higher than today, yet the world ecosystem continued to work; people are still thriving on Earth despite these past cycles.

We See Everything Through Our Worldview
Our worldview is our overall view of the world, it shapes how each of us understands our life and experiences, (and the lives and experiences of others), and how we act in response. It reflects how we answer every question about life and living.
 
A worldview reflects what we know as "truth". It is "our philosophical view of all of reality" (Neil Anderson).
 
Everybody has a worldview and it is something uniquely personal like our fingerprints. "A worldview is a network of ultimate beliefs, assumptions, values, and ideas about the universe, and our place in it". So if we believe untrue things or "go along" with ungodly ideas, then our worldview will be corrupted and will impact everything we think and do. So sad.
 
Propaganda is increasing, particularly from government sources, big business, social media networks and the popular media; from the plutocracy.
 
Newspapers and free-to-air TV and radio are a minefield of misdirection and misinformation. I am finding it best to stay away from news programs and newspapers and use TV only for re-runs of old shows and movies. Some of my friends, who are probably made of tougher stuff than I am, stay away from these things altogether so they avoid even the station breaks and the advertisements.
 
The ideas we find repugnant all come from a denial of God, and who He is, and His place and purpose in the Creation and our lives. This is sin.
 
"Never was there a heresy, but it had something to do with an insufficient estimate of sin" (H. C. G. Moule, "Ephesian Studies"). So true, when we under-estimate sin we do not see the need for God's solution of the cross. Satan does all that he can to undermine the need for the cross, he works hard to get us to ignore what the Puritans called, "the exceeding sinfulness of sin".
 
The answer, for us, is Jesus.
 
God Is Known In History in Jesus
The idea of God may seem difficult: we have all seen cartoons or heard funny stories reflecting some people's perceptions of God. But we can know God in clear and practical ways.
 
God came to Earth in the form of a human baby, a boy who grew to manhood, a person just like everyone we know. His name is Jesus. No serious student of ancient history doubts the reality of this.
 
When God created the Cosmos He created a very big, beautiful, fertile and safe environment and then, as the final element, He created humankind, a man and a woman. God created us in His image and likeness; we are spirit like God, and we are soul and body because we are physical creatures.
 
Because we have a spirit we can communicate with God as no other creatures can. In the original Hebrew language, the Bible says we are a "speaking spirit"; we are the only creatures with a spirit, we are also unique because we have complete language, with tenses, nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs. We can record thoughts and ideas for others, even those in another place or time. We can see "the end from the beginning" so can design complex things, from a conceptual idea to a completed object or system: an airplane or bridge, football or pizza, or a painting or song! Wonderful.
 
When Jesus came to Earth, He was given a body and a soul, like us. He was given the name Yeshua where the "Ye", like the "Je" of Jesus, or the "ja" part of hallelujah, means "God". "Yeshua" and "Jesus" mean "God saves". So God came to a very troubled Earth as "God Saves". We surely can say "hallelujah"!

God Is Near
A big thing for me are the Bible verses which make Jesus approachable. These enabled me to accept that Jesus wants to come into intimate relationship with people, with me and with you. We are told that if ever we look directly upon God we will die (Exodus 33:20); but we can look at and be near to Jesus because He is a human, just like our mother or our best friend. "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). So when we are with Jesus we are fully in the presence of God. Awesome! When we first come to Jesus, Father God immediately adopts us as a son or a daughter (Galatians 4:7). We are fully included!
 
Christians are the only faith group who can know and be in intimate relationship with their deity.
 
Miracles Known To Be True
Another area where we get to "see" God is in testimony. Testimony is when someone tells of the works God is doing in a life. It always helps our faith when we know that miraculous things have happened, things which could not have come through the natural laws of science or medicine; supernatural events, accomplished from the power of the spiritual world, from God Himself.
 
Faith helps our hope; when we are in doubt or afraid our hope is precious. When testimony reminds our faith that Jesus is still working miracles in the world, we know we can look to Him for our own life and future, this brings hope. These days I often think that only Bible believing Christians have any real hope.
 
Having seen miracles in our time and place, we can also accept the miracles in the Bible. If we can believe even one miraculous testimony, (or are able to tell our own), then surely we can believe all the hundreds of miracle accounts in our Bible.
 
(Without the miracles there would be little left of the Bible, right? See Genesis chapters 1 and 2, 2 Kings chapter 4, Matthew 4:23-25, John 2:7–9, Acts 10:38 and more and more)
 
We can accept that God spoke, and the Universe came into being, including us and our lovely planet Earth.
 
Then, if we look at the laws of science and nature (on which all science and engineering are based), we see that the Big Bang could never have happened because "something" cannot come from "nothing".
 
Origins Of Life
All the scientific theories of "origins of life" and "evolution" fall down before one or more laws of science, thermodynamics or nature, all!
 
People of faith believe the spiritual world to be real; we represent more than 4 out of every 5 people on Earth. We do not agree on all attributes of the spiritual world, but we all know that it is real. Anyone who has seen or experienced déjà vu, or a dream come true, or any kind of miracle, knows this to be true.

We Know That We Know
The Bible is God's book and is the most logically complete presentation of our origins and our social well-being that has ever been seen. The number of extremely intelligent people who have discovered this and come to be Christians is remarkable, I love their excitement over what their towering intellects have found to be irrefutably true. God reveals Himself to us in many ways (Luke 1:26-28; Acts 7:30; John 6:19-20; Revelation 1:1). In every case truth and purpose are revealed and gladly received by the people.
 
Truth is needed if we are to meet God's will for us, that we, and all the Creation, reveal God's glory and fulfill His purposes (Ephesians 2:10). We can do this only when we live in truth.
 
Sometimes things seem confusing, then I remember that Jesus is with me (Matthew 28:20); my heart will sing the Jess Ray song: "It may be too good to be understood, but it's not too good to be true". Yes!
 
Bless us all. Amen.

Favourite Bible Verses
 
"When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, 'It is I; don't be afraid'" (John 6:19-20).
 
" .. the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:17).
 
" .. the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie - just as it has taught you, abide in him" (1 John 2:27).
 
"O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:5).
 
Thank you Jesus. Amen.
 
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Constant Reminders

Constant Reminders - 154
 
An old wedding anniversary card, from Trish to me, was in some papers I was sorting through. I paused to read it - then again - what a lift to my spirits! Her love and memories of our shared life expressed so simply, so sincerely - Such a lovely surprise to be reminded like that. 

These days I am aware that our Abba Father God gives us constant reminders of His presence in, and impact on, our lives, and even on the whole world, and always with love. These reminders make such a difference when we are surrounded by difficulties and things-beyond-understanding, and also by many frightened people.
 
In the Old Testament God tells His story about the early days of humankind, and how He chose Israel for Himself, a tiny and seemingly insignificant country. Israel's early fathers were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Through these three God did many great exploits. Scripture is full of reminders of these patriarchs and events, and even today we still speak of them. Some friends were talking recently, we all shared our delight as together we recounted adventures from Ezekiel, Numbers, Chronicles and other Bible books we, (me certainly), do not often look at .. such exploits, such rescues, such Sovereign love and purpose from our Heavenly Father!
 
The telling about God's love continues right through the New Testament, with the coming of Jesus and Him gathering the first twelve of His people, (who would become more than a billion by our time). Then Jesus' unjust death on the Cross, His so-unexpected-and-amazing resurrection and then a wonderful time of spiritual growth with (almost) all of those twelve, then His ascension to be with Our Father in heaven. From all this came Pentecost and the Christian Church. Holy Spirit is poured out and fills God's people (Acts 4:31, 10:45). This continues even until today. We Christians have been brought into God's family as His sons and daughters.
 
We remind each other of all this great history, even as we share new "testimonies" (Luke 21:13; Acts 14:17; 1 Corinthians 1:6 4-9; Revelation 12:11), so that we can "encourage one another" (1 Thessalonians 5:11) to "persevere" (Ephesians 6:18), and "press on" (Philippians 3:12) in our "walk" (John 12:35; Ephesians 2:10) with Jesus. These are constant reminders for us.
 
Trouble abounds. Several in our family have recently recovered from Covid-19; the pandemic continues. Frankie's and Anlia's Ada was born during our first big lockdown and she is now two years old. It has been a long time. 

All over the world many are experiencing great fear. We are told that that mental health issues and suicides are at crisis levels in the Western countries. Sometimes I think that it is only we Christians who have any real hope today (Romans 5:3-5).
 
And we all know others who have terrible and painful troubles, we are reminded that trouble is one of life's certainties:
 
"Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7).
 
"Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away" (Psalm 90:10).
 
"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).
 
Most troubles come from people's sin, or are part of the legacy of the Fall when Adam and Eve sinned and chose to be independent from God, the same God who created them, gave them a fabulous place to live and fellowshipped with them in the “cool of the evening”. Adam and Eve chose to pursue their own destiny and seek their own glory. They were not only the first humans, they were also the first humanists. Since that day trouble abounds.
 
Other times our troubles come from God out of His love and concern for us; from His desire that we follow His way, and not the way of the Fall. One of the Bible's great calls to prayer, 2 Chronicles 7:14, is preceded by God telling us that our lawlessness will incur His just response .. God Himself will send us trouble to remind and encourage us to repent, to turn away from our sin, our willfulness, our disobedience and foolishness: (2 Chronicles 7:13) "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people .." (We note that God's call to us to pray comes after we repent and unite as one people under Him, the God of all Creation).
 

So we look to Jesus who constantly reminds us: through Scripture, through personal testimony, through song, and through the wonders and the beauty of His creation, that He is here .. and that He has indeed "overcome the world" (John 16:33); we only need "eyes to see" and "ears to hear", and the heart to follow (Acts 28:27; Matthew 6:21).
 
In Scripture we are often reminded of the Cross of Calvary and how Jesus has paid the price for all our sin, our wrongdoing, our meanness. All. This made available to us Jesus' righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30), even our full inheritance in Christ: "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" (Colossians 1:19-20).
 
This cleansing, complete and universal among Christians, makes room in our hearts for love to flow into us, and out from us to our brothers and sisters in Jesus, and to our "neighbours", (Matthew 19:19), everywhere in the world: "And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:5-6).
 
These constant reminders are the substance of God's promise in Jesus: "and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). Jesus is always with us.
 
When trouble comes, we remember that we are "in the boat" with Jesus and are able to see beyond "the storm" (Luke 8:22-25), to choose "faith" (Hebrews 11:1) and "fix our eyes on Jesus" (2 Corinthians 4:18).  
 

Our "eyes to see" affirm that Jesus is keeping our spirit safe and giving us His assurance that we are loved and have a glorious future. This is the same Jesus, the cause, the means, the purpose and the object of everything (Colossians 1:16).
 
"And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30).
 
Favourite Bible Verses
 
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" (Romans 8:35).
 
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
 
".. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
 
Amen.
 

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Praise Jesus. Amen

Cancer: Deep

"Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me" (Psalm 42:7).

This is a prayer week for me, a spiritual journey. I am down South at our favourite camp site by the sea. There are others here but my week has been almost entirely with Jesus and Father God and dear Holy Spirit.

I have been diagnosed with another cancer. Not melanoma this time, (I have had four of those). Cancer of my prostate. It is scary. (We have been told that I have been assigned an excellent medical team and that my prognosis is good).

Jesus is always able to make things work for our good (Romans 8:28). With this news Trish and my marriage has become sweeter, more tender, and our family have become closer. I know that I am loved, we all do. This is very precious.

My prayer friends from all the different groups are being very loving too. Trouble brings people closer, especially Christians, our relationships deepen, we bless one another with our love and prayer.

One friend, Betty, helped greatly; she sent me some teaching videos where a quarter century of new medical discoveries are linked to eternal Scriptural truths. (See Note 1).

This week, praying for myself, (rather than for others, or for the church, our leaders or the nations), has been really great. I have discovered a big area of laziness in my life; I have let anger and unforgiveness take root and build up in my soul; in my mind, will and emotions. Not good.

Praise Jesus who ".. appeared in order to take away sins .." (1 John 3:5), and ".. appeared to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). I have whole days with our lovely Jesus to review my life, I found that I have been harbouring toxic thoughts. I have not thought about "toxic thoughts" for years, rather, I was believing that I was becoming more settled and peaceful. (We are deceived in our deceptions (James 1:16)).

Recent Science

Fear, anxiety, unforgiveness, bitterness, self-hatred, low self-esteem, guilt, jealousy, envy, anger, rage, and resentment are now referred to in the medical field as "toxic thinking patterns" because they are known to cause disease. Experiencing trauma or betrayal can also cause disease in humans. The mind-body connection is real. What and how we think affects our body, our brain, nervous system, immune system, organs and internal chemistry, everything. This is accepted science, not simply Christian belief. Toxic thinking patterns also affect our spirit; the spirit-mind-body connection is also real; this is not accepted science, but is well proven in Christian studies.

The Bible calls these toxic thinking patterns sin. Therefore what medical science has recently proven is that, much of the time, disease is a consequence of sin; particularly sin in our thought life.

So I have been thinking about my thoughts about life and the world, about my anger and my deep disappointments at legal and societal changes over the past few years. And about my fears for our children, grandchildren and their entire generations in the years to come.

I pray. I search my heart and my memory and repent. I forgive. Then I pray.

Again .. I pray. I repent. I search my heart and I forgive. Again I pray.

Praise Jesus for this beautiful peaceful place with the trees and the sea. I can feel the weight lifting off me, feel the rust and corrosion leaching away.

(At a prayer meeting here on a New Years Eve many years ago someone pointed out that these Christian campgrounds are saturated in prayer; the people who look after the camps pray for all of us who camp here, day after day and week after week, and have done for more than 30 years).

There is a sweet old song, I remember very few words .. "O how He loves me .."

Birthday

Today is Sunday. Twenty of us gathered at Peter’s and Merci’s for a long late lunch to celebrate Peter’s birthday; he and Rebecca, our twins and our youngest, turn 30 on Tuesday. (Trish and I will no longer have any babies, not even twenty-somethings!).

What a great afternoon, such wonderful company, most of our family and Merci’s family came, and we enjoyed a great feast. (Jude (6), and Hamish (4) each had three helpings of the yummy berry, meringue, ice cream and chocolate dessert I brought, I was thrilled!) We all took turns cuddling the babies, and the conversations and laughter never stopped. That we all know Jesus' love added such a glow to the afternoon ..

And on top of it all, Peter and Merci gave Trish and me a dozen fresh laid eggs from their chickens!

Be Doers

The Bible says that we are to "be doers of the Word" (Proverbs 4:20–23; James 1:22); to be obedient to what God asks of us. I believe that obedience is more beautiful than anointing.

Jesus tells us to "forgive others their sins against us, then our Father will forgive our sins" (Matthew 6:14-15); to harbour unforgiveness is not "doing the Word". We have been told this before, right?

Jesus also tells us to "fear not" (Matthew 10:31; 14:27), and "do not worry or be anxious" (Luke 12:11,22), so when we live with fear, worry or anxiety we are being disobedient. Yes?

So I pray. I search my heart and my memories and then repent and forgive. Then I pray some more.

And the cancer? We will see what becomes of that, and of all my other aches and pains and complaints.

Happily, we are certain that "God is love" (1 John 4:16) and, by grace, His love flows to us, each one. Our heavenly Abba Father sent His Son Jesus to die and pay for our sins, for our redemption and our life (John 3:16), and I am eternally grateful.

Praise Jesus. Hallelujah!

Favourite Bible Verses

"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, my soul knows it full well" (Psalm 139:14).

"My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.  Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;  for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body.  Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" (Proverbs 4:20-24).

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22).

".. brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8).

"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul" (3 John 1:2). 

Amen.

Note 1:  For many years I have been blessed to hear, see, read and discuss with others, lovely committed Christian teachers whom I find sound in Scripture, theology, science and life-experience. Amongst these are: John Yates (www.cross-connect.net.au), Derek Prince (www.derekprince.com), Francis Frangipane (www.frangipane.org), Dr Michelle Strydom (www.eagleswings.co.zw), Dr Caroline Leaf (www.drleaf.net), John G. Lake (www.jglm.org) and others, and, with deep gratitude, draw from their teaching.

Thank You Jesus.

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https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2020/11/cancer-deep.html

Amen.