My Identity In Jesus

We Are Given A New Identity In Jesus

Immediately we believe in Jesus our family relationships and our identity are radically changed. This is a truly wonderful "suddenly" in our life, and it starts in our heart.

Jesus brings us to Father God, who He calls "Abba Father", an intimate and very personal name for His Dad, it shows absolute love and trust. Jesus then says, "Abba Father, here is John, (for you, He uses your name), will you make him a son (or her a daughter), just as I am your Son? Will you fully forgive all his (or her) sins and bring him (or her) into your great inheritance?"

Father God always acts on these requests from Jesus, He always says "yes". Straight away we become members of God's family. Jesus is now our big brother .. God becomes our totally reliable Father. We do not lose our earthly family; this will be good news for some and perhaps not so good for others who have a tough or lonely family life. But in God's family, life becomes full and precious.

Do you remember in the film "The King and I", where the king is in a very important meeting with some high officials .. his young son is playing elsewhere in the palace and suddenly has a question; "I'll go and ask Daddy", he says, and runs and runs through the palace towards the council chamber where the meeting is going on. As soon as the king sees his son he asks the others to excuse him; he will help his son before getting back to the matter they are discussing. The king is gracious to all but his focus is immediately on his child. This is how our Abba Father is towards each one of us. Always there for us: ready to help, ready to guard our back. So is Jesus ..

All this is because God loves every person (1 Peter 1:8, 1 John 3:1); He created you and me out of love, because He is love (1 John 4:16), and wants to spend eternity loving each one of us (Jude 1:21).

"For in Him we live and move and have our being . . For we also are His children" (Acts 17:28).

"Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and to intervene for us" (Hebrews 7:25 Amplified).

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new is here" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).

"But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him" (1 Corinthians 6:17).

"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).

"The Holy Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:16). 

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

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:4).

Not only do we come into God's family, we become a part of His body, the Christian Church. This too is very real, and very precious. Most of my life I thought of the church as being partly Anglican, partly Roman Catholic, with Presbyterians, Salvation Army, Pentecostals, and on and on. Now I actively try to go beyond any barriers, real or imagined, and be a part of the whole church. There are now many Christian events which are outside congregational or denominational boundaries, and I have come to love these; I seek them out. We find that we have so much in common and can be truly effective prayer warriors. We see miracles.

"And God put all things under Jesus' feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church,  which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all" (Ephesians 1:22-23).

Jesus Equips Us By Giving Us Our Identity In Him

Here are some truths which I have gathered together over the years; each of these statements is true for me, they are expressed in Scripture and, because they are my experience, I feel free to personalise them.

They are true for every Christian.

I Am In God's Family

•     I am fully included in God's family, and have a full share of His inheritance (Ephesians 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:10, 1 Peter 2:17).

•     Like Jesus, I am God's child (John 1:12).

•    I am Jesus' friend, not His servant or slave (John 15:15).

•     I am united with Jesus and one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17).

•     Like Jesus, and through Him, I always have access to the Father by Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18).

•     My life is hidden with Jesus in God, (perhaps the safest place in the world) (Colossians 3:3).

I Am Complete In Jesus

•     I am created in the image and likeness of God, (who is complete unity in diversity), (Genesis 1:26).

•     I, and every person, man, woman and child, are equal, different and unique (Genesis 1:27, Galatians 3:28).

•     I am a branch of Jesus, the true vine, and will produce much fruit (John 15:1,5).

•     I am more than a conqueror through Jesus (Romans 8:37).

•     I am established in Jesus; anointed, sealed and given His Spirit in my heart (2 Corinthians 1:21).

•    The good work God has begun in me, He will complete .. (Philippians 1:6).

•     In Jesus, (the head over every power and authority (Matthew 28:18)), I am being brought to fullness (Colossians 2:10).

•     I was dead in my transgressions and sinfulness and God made me alive with Jesus (Colossians 2:13).

•     Jesus, who is at the right hand of God, is constantly interceding (praying) for me (Romans 8:34).

I Am Set Free In Jesus

•     The law of Jesus' Spirit has set me free from all condemnation (Romans 8:1-2).

•     Nothing in all creation, can separate me from the love of God in Jesus (Romans (8:39).

•     For freedom Jesus has set me free (Galatians 5:1).

•    Father God has delivered me from the domain of darkness into Jesus' kingdom, and in Jesus I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14).

•     God has forgiven me for all my sins and trespasses, past, present and future (Colossians 2:13).

I Have Authority And Power In Jesus

Jesus has all authority and power and He gave it to His Twelve Disciples. Under the New Covenant He asks us, in the same way He asked them, to do His work on the earth, and He passes His authority and power on to us.

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me'" (Matthew 28:18).

"And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases" (Luke 9:1).

I'm like the band of seventy-two disciples; I can say, "Lord, even the demons are subject to me in your name" .. Jesus has given me authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt me. I am to rejoice that my name is written in heaven (From Luke 10:17-20).

I Am  Given Great Purpose In Jesus

Christians are given purpose and responsibility in the world; we are to participate with Jesus in His great work on the earth.

•   I am a temple of God, a house for His Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16)

•     I am Jesus' workmanship, created in Him for good works (Ephesians 2:10)

•     I am a minister of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18)

•   I am an ambassador for Jesus' gospel (Ephesians 6:19-20)

•    I am God's fellow worker in Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 6:1)

•    I can do all things through Jesus who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

Grateful

All this is something of what it is which fills me with joy and fills my life with good things. It is much more than agreeing with some ideas or lifestyle choices. I am inherently part of Jesus and what He is doing, and He is inherently part of me and what I am doing.

Upon my conversion Jesus fully justified me, at the same time He began the process of sanctifying me; I still sometimes sin but sin has been defeated in me and in my life. I know that in time I will "attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).

I'm so very grateful that I belong to Jesus, my Lord, and my big Brother, and to my Abba Father in heaven and am so blessed by all the guidance and counsel from Holy Spirit.

Amen. Hallelujah! Praise Jesus!

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Bless you.

Grace Upon Grace

"For from His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace" (John 1:16).

Our boys brought home a Christian rock CD by a young man called Reliant K; Reliant said "the great thing about grace is that it's not fair". This was years ago and I've never forgotten. "Not fair". We've been brought up to share our toys and to "play fair" with the other kids. This becomes part of who we are as adults and helps make the world a more civilized place. (It also partly accounts for why Western countries are so prosperous after many generations of spreading the wealth so that many of us are able to participate fully).

But God's grace comes to us as He wills, we cannot earn or lay claim to it.. and it is not fair, but also it is wonderful!

"God saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began" (2 Timothy 1:9).

Grace is the practical outpouring of God's love. Grace is favour, it is a gift from God which blesses and changes us.

"God is love" (1 John 4:16), love is the essence of who He is, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God lavishes grace upon humanity as an expression of His love and as a way to bring people into His embrace. This way each one of us can grow and be fulfilled according to His plan in the Creation and in His New Covenant.

By God's grace we find Jesus, (or Jesus reveals Himself to us), our sins are forgiven and we are adopted into God's family as His children. The whole of Creation was brought into being so that humankind would have a place to be. Humans are the only creatures to have a spirit; because of this Jesus can fill us by His Holy Spirit.

We were created, each and every human being, to be in relationship with God, to be spiritually alive, to be transformed by being eternally saved, and to grow in saintliness until "we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). This Bible verse makes a very big statement, especially in the light of all the divisions in the world, and even within the Christian church. But its meaning is quite clear; this will come to pass, meanwhile "the body of Christ [the Church] [is being] built up .." (Ephesians 4:12)! Grace.

Grace is free, and it is entirely from God. We cannot earn or deserve or buy grace. God calls us. Jesus died to take away our sins and this work is His alone. Sin may seem an old-fashioned word, but its meaning has not changed. It includes all our wrong-doing, our mean-ness, lies, cheating, willfulness, crime, and going against God's will for us. A big subject.

Our confession and repentance for our sins is our response to Jesus' saving and sanctifying work. "By grace we have been saved" (Ephesians 2:5). At the same time, grace is costly, we give up our old life and work at growing in our relationship with Father God, (as a Christian I know I am constantly growing). We want to please and serve Him, to participate in Jesus' work on the earth.

There is a flow from God to us: God leads to relationship leads to faith leads to repentance leads to salvation leads to righteousness leads to freedom leads to love leads to obedience leads to service leads to peace. It is all given to us by grace " .. Freely you have received; freely give" (Matthew 10:8).

This is like Martin Luther's experience of agony for his sins and through that finding faith in Jesus and being born again. We simply need to meet Jesus and believe that His death on the Cross will set us free ..

Justification by grace alone is the sole foundation of Christian life (Romans 3:23-24). Only Jesus will give us the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

Although this is completely true, it is our necessary response to God’s grace that brings His love into the world. We become "salt" and "light" (Matthew 5:13-14) in the world, and serve all humanity (Matthew 5:16). We are actively part of God’s family (Galatians 4:7) and His Kingdom (Revelation 5:10). We separate our self from the world (2 Corinthians 6:14, also see James 4:4).

I'm very grateful that God is not fair with grace. I think I would have deserved to have been given very little grace, but have had lots, all my life, in many, many ways. Praise Jesus.

"Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2).

"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14).

"Even when we were dead in our trespasses and sins, God made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:5).

Encounters

In our Christian circles we talk about "divine encounters". These are the times when we meet with someone "by chance" and the meeting turns out to be really special and very helpful. Afterwards you realise that on your own you could not have expressed yourself anywhere near as well as you just did; it had to be Jesus in you who was bringing forward ideas and forming sentences (Colossians 1:27). Grace at work (2 Corinthians 9:8).

I'm at Trish and my favourite camp ground, by the sea in our Southwest, and yesterday, quite separately, I met two men for the first time. One became a born again Christian after his wife died many years ago. He has been increasingly disappointed at the way both the world and the Church are going. We talked for ages and I was able to share with him some very positive truths which never appear in the media. I'm sure that he walked away with a much lighter step than he had when he approached me. I know that meeting him was a blessing to me. A divine encounter? I believe so.

The other fellow has only just retired after working in Christian ministry for decades. He's now very keen to find what he will be doing for his remaining lifetime and getting started on it. I felt to share about taking time to think and pray .. it's been very precious to me to have lots of time, when I was unemployed, and now that I'm older, to have lovely long periods where I can think and then pray and think and pray some more; to really ponder and get to grips with what the Bible says and to hear what Jesus is now saying. Yes, and to take the time to smell the roses too! I see this as a huge outpouring of grace towards me .. We have just enough money to meet our needs (Luke 12:22-32), but I am rich in time and relationships. I keep my life simple and try to stay close to those who are near to me. I am never bored!

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

Sea Scouts

When my dad took me along to Boy Scouts we didn't know that very soon that group would become Sea Scouts. I really thrived. Initially we had no "boat" stuff and started from scratch building our boat shed, pier and launching ramp, and a fleet of boats most of which had sails.

You can’t imagine the thrill it was for a ten- or twelve- year-old boy to be so engaged in such big, exciting learning projects. I spent one whole school holidays going there every day to fabricate rigging for the sailboats. I represented Wellington Province in both rowing and sailing. We also trekked in the mountains and did many camps. Often the food at camp was awful, when I complained to my Mum she began to teach me how to cook. I still love all these things and still love to cook for people. I learned other things like first aid and leadership, and patriotism and respect for our Queen and our government. What grace filled gifts these all are; if my father had got me into a different kind of activity none of this would have happened. But God knew. He guides our steps even when we are un-aware.

"A person's steps are directed by the Lord. How can anyone understand their own way?" (Proverbs 20:24).

Information Technology

Grace comes to all of us, but Christians know it with such gratitude because it is "by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).

Long before Jesus came to me I "fell" into a career in IT. This gave me many exciting and challenging projects, and it sustained me and my family for decades. It also enabled me to work here in Australia and in England and the United States. As a young man I was working for a firm who needed some accounting equipment; the most suitable machines came with new digital features. I was the odd-job person in the office so this was added to my work list. The equipment-supply people saw that I took to it like a duck to water and I flew through all their aptitude tests.

Not long after that I moved to the wild mining country in Australia's Northwest to work and save money for a world-wide back-packing trip. The mining company, who had a "recruit from within" policy, were looking to set up their first IT department and I was given one of the positions as trainee computer programmer. Computers in commercial businesses were still rare in those days so I was very blessed to have such an opportunity! Soon I showed that I had a real flair for designing and building computer systems to solve complex business problems. My end-users loved my systems because they did their job well, and were reliable, and were delivered on time. I loved my work! Grace. I didn't even know Jesus but He gave me something immensely precious and long lasting.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Drownings and Car Crashes

I've nearly drowned three times. It is true that your life flashes before your mind's eye as you come near to the end; I found it a peaceful experience, perhaps because my life has been full, rich and satisfying. Clearly, I survived these three events!

Two of those times I was trying to drag somebody out of the surf. I reached the point where I knew we were both lost and I went through the terrible thoughts that I would have to abandon my friend and try to save myself. Then my toes touched the sand and I found the energy to continue the struggle. Grace. At the last possible minute my lovely Jesus, who I did not know, rescued me. Twice. Years apart and in different countries. Grace.

The third near drowning happened when our son Tom and I were body surfing in some pretty good waves. We soon realised we were in a rip, we did not know where the rip would take us so began the struggle for the shore. Tom was still in his teens but he is tall and strong. Once again I thought I was finished but Tom's determination, size and strength got us out. I was Christian by this time and we stood on the beach, half crying and also yelling out praises to Jesus at the top of our voices, our Shield and our Rock! What grace! I have tears in my eyes as I share this ..

"But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head" (Psalm 3:3).

With all my crazy car crashes I've never been hurt or caused a death or injury. I've grown up a lot since those days and praise Jesus for His shielding hand. Grace abounding!

Until I was mature my health was very good; since then I've had some serious issues .. I've written at length about the many miracles I've seen in my health, and also about healings for many other people. Jesus heals, still, in our time. Such grace!

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:2).

Jesus And Trish

It has been a study in the grace of God how I even got to know and love Him. I was offended by the Church when I was young so stopped having anything to do with church people; I had only ever attended church and had not become a believer, but church was so much a part of society then that this was a big step.

Later on, Jesus had to soften me up before I would be open to His approach. He gave Trish and me to each other. I love to recount how Trish and I met, how impossibly unlikely that meeting was, how un-alike we are, like chalk and cheese, yet we have six gorgeous grown children, also daughters-in-law and grandkids; there are now fifteen of us in our immediate family! In July we'll have been married 37 years. What a very long and lovely conversation Trish and I are enjoying. Why should I be given such a glorious gift? Why such favour towards me?

We met in New York when I was on holiday there; it seemed an extremely chance meeting but its impact is still being felt. Trish was a church-goer and went to Mass in Hoboken every Sunday evening. An amazing priest would give the sermons; he was on loan from the local diocese to the office of the Governor of New Jersey. As he spoke he would reflect Jesus' light on all the events and happenings in N.J. and even the U.S.A. and the world. I saw Jesus in a new way, in today's world. Trish and I were married, also in New Jersey, and soon after came to Western Australia where I had an apartment by the sea.

The beginning of our marriage was rocky for Trish and, after some struggles, a group of ladies from church took her to a prayer meeting .. it was there that she met Jesus and her life was changed. I became interested and went to many meetings with Trish and these other, very excited, Christians. About three years passed, then Jesus came and took me by the hand. Some years after that our marriage was in trouble, (most marriages encounter trouble at some point). This began to resolve when we asked Jesus to come and be the third strand in the rope of our union (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Now we are still happily bound together, Jesus, Trish and I, and still rejoicing in the joys, and prevailing over the troubles that come our way (2 Corinthians 6:4). Jesus has been going before us, all these years, pouring out His grace upon us and our marriage and our family.

"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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

It has been a surprise to me, how fruitful this writing-time has been, focusing on the grace of God. How widespread grace is in the world! While I've been thinking about specific times when grace flowed towards me, there is also common grace. In the very Creation, and every day, grace abounds towards all humanity. We don't just have a universe, but it is full of benefits and beauty. We have the seasons, flowers and animals, mountains and oceans, countless wonderful foods, babies and dogs and whales, and for most of us, the richness of being in families. Just the other day I was riding my bike round our neighbourhood, for exercise. The most brilliant sunset filled the sky. I saw cars pausing at intersections, then stopping. The peoples' faces were directed to the sky and filled with awe and delight at the glorious spectacle God was painting in our sky! Grace.

As for the Church, I'm certain that Jesus is not worried about its future and is working out His plan in His time:

".. I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Jesus' words: Matthew 16:18).

"So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace" (Romans 11:5).

My prayer for you:

"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

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

".. to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,  which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight  making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ  as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth" (Ephesians 1:6-10). 

"Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them" (Hebrews 7:25 Amplified).

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,  and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:15-20).

Amen.

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Praise Jesus.

 

New Covenant: Authority

Disciples Today

"And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction" (Matthew 10:1).

These words apply to you and me, today. The Bible is the Living Word of God. What Matthew is reporting here was for Jesus' disciples 2000 years ago. I am a disciple now .. Aren't you also? Every Christian is called to be a disciple of Jesus and to follow Him. This is how Christianity is a living faith, rather than a religion.

"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Jesus Equips Us

It's a quality of the New Covenant and of being Christian that Jesus has given each one of us authority and power in the spiritual realms.

The Creation concluded with Elohim, (the Hebrew name for God which is a plural word and helps us understand that God is three persons yet one God (Matthew 28:19), "making" humankind in their own "image and likeness" (Genesis 1:26-27). 

These first two people are called Adam (the Hebrew word for "man"), and Eve ("because she would become the mother of all the living" (Genesis 3:20)); God gave them rule and dominion over the whole Creation so that they would have authority to steward it "using all its vast resources in the service of God and man" (Genesis 1:28 Amplified). God crowned humanity with "glory and honour" (Psalm 8:5), Adam and Eve together, equally.

Today, with all the trouble (John 16:33) in the world, we may find it hard to imagine their great life: they were the "apple of God's eye" (Zechariah 2:8), in intimate relationship with Him; they would walk and talk with God in the beautiful garden He had given them. They were fully trusted to manage the entire Creation, and to "fill the earth" (Genesis 1:28). Fabulous. We know that as Christians we have "rivers of living water flowing from our hearts" (John 7:38) and that "Christ in us" can be seen by others, "the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Adam and Eve had the glory and the honour!

Then they fell; Satan promised them that they could know good from evil and "be like God" if they ate of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:5), (they were already in the "image and likeness" of God, Satan was offering them what they already had)! 

They did eat of the fruit and lost their glory, their position, their authority, and they became subject to death (Genesis 2:17). All their descendants were now confined to the same status, born into a life of sin (Romans 3:23). Satan became the ruler of this world, the "prince of this world" and "ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient" (John 12:31; Mark 4:15, 8:33; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 2:2).

The only remedy for this calamity would be for a person without sin to pay for all the sin, and pay with blood (Exodus 30:10). There has only ever been one person with no sin, Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). Praise His name, Jesus came and defeated Satan by humbling Himself, even to dying on the Cross for us and all of our sin. His death and resurrection defeated both Satan and death. Jesus was given all authority (Matthew 28:18) and is now seated on the throne with Father God in Heaven (Hebrews 2:12, Revelation 4:3).

Jesus, the last Adam, is now "King of kings, and Lord of lords"  (1 Timothy 6:14-15) "it is written, The first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit [restoring the dead to life]." (1 Corinthians 15:45 Amplified). 

This is being worked out in our present age, and because it has not yet reached its fullness, we see evil in the world.

Under the New Covenant our spiritual authority has been restored (Luke 9:1-2, Luke 10:19-20, Colossians 2:9-10) and is now greater than that of Satan and his demons. We can see that the Bible is true; my experiences and the testimonies of many brothers and sisters have shown this truth.

It is Jesus' intercession (Romans 8:34) for us which makes the difference; when we are weak, Jesus is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

New Covenant In Christ Jesus

The New Covenant made all things new (2 Corinthians 5:17, Revelation 21:5) for it changed the way of knowing God from following laws and rules to becoming a child of Father God (John 1:12, Romans 8:1), and being in a deep relationship with Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).

Don Miller says that to be Christian is to "embrace Christian spirituality, a non-political mysterious system that can be experienced but not explained .. Christianity is a relationship with a living God who, as a man as well as God, can be experienced .. It is not an intellectual assent to a set of ideas; it is not propositional". Don is a young American who has a wonderful gift of speaking in clear uncomplicated language; his approach has brought Jesus to countless people of his generation. His first book was "Blue Like Jazz", (2003), and showed me a great deal about how young people think in our post-postmodern times; a really great read!

Just like Don and me, everyone is changed radically when they encounter, and are eternally saved by, Jesus.

We Are Given A New Heart:

"And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 11:19).

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (Hebrews 8:10 from Jeremiah 31:31-34).

We Are Given A New Mind:

"'For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).

We Are Given A New Spirit:

"I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you" (Ezekiel 36:26).

"From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:16-17).

We Are Given A New Identity In Jesus:

"For in Him we live and move and have our being .." (Acts 17:28).

"But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him" (1 Corinthians 6:17).

"The Holy Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:16).

"Behold, what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called the children of God .. " (1 John 3:1), and therefore brothers and sisters of Jesus!

"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).

We Are Given A New Name:

"The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give" (Isaiah 62:2).

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it"  (Revelation 2:17).

We Are Given A New Hope:

"Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2).

".. but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope" (Romans 5:3-4).

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer" (Romans 12:12).

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13).

" .. I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

"And he said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment'" (Revelation 21:6).

We Are Given Power In The New Covenant:

"John answered them all, saying, 'I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire'" (Luke 3:16).

"And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth"  (Acts 1:8).

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).

Adventures

Many years ago, when I read the book of Acts for the first time, I saw it as the most wonderful collection of adventures by hitherto quite ordinary people. As a boy, and in the many years since then, I've always loved adventure stories and even seeking my own exploits and challenges. So Acts really caught my attention; if this is the kind of stuff Jesus does, then count me in!

Now that I'm becoming  a mature Christian, I've known the power of God countless times. Jesus is the most faithful friend (John 15:15) a person could ever have. Not only is He busy keeping the world running but He truly wants us to share in His life and work here on the earth (Ephesians 2:10). For me, this is very satisfying.

Firstly it is wonderful, even at my age, to be valuable to people in truly important things like their physical, social and spiritual wellbeing, to help them know that they are loved and valued, and can be forgiven for all the rotten things they have done and all the good things they have left undone.

Secondly, it is so good to know that in my very small way I'm fighting back against all the declines in our culture, security and national prosperity.

And thirdly, it is great to know that I'm working with, and being obedient to, our lovely Jesus, who has been so gracious and kind to me all these years.

"For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace" (John 1:16).

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give" (Matthew 10:8).

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29).  

"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).

Great Majority

The great majority of all the people in the world believe that the spiritual realm is real; the largest and the most evenly spread subset of all the believers are the Christians. There are also hundreds of millions who believe in the spiritual but are Hindu, or Tao, or Muslim, or Sheikh, or Buddhist or any of a great number of faiths, some undefined or without names. Most also believe that there is a god or gods who rule/s the world and the universe. Less than one-fifth of all people do not recognise spiritual realities and these include the noisy voices opposed to the ideas of faith, who, sadly, have access to much media as their platform. (Please see Note 1).

The Blessing of Testimony

So by telling someone about your experiences of Jesus, and showing them His power in action in their own life, you are often simply clarifying thoughts that they have never been able to articulate. This is really profound, both for the giver and the person receiving.

I've found that people really love it when the many thoughts they have had about life and love and meaning suddenly make real sense when put into the context of Jesus and Father God and their gospel of repentance, forgiveness, salvation, healing, love, freedom and hope. It is very liberating to know that every one of us was hand-made by God for a purpose, and that He will work all our life to help bring us to our destiny.

"Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).

"And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.  For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.  'Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom'" (Luke 12:29-32).

Praise Jesus. Amen.

Note 1

'Overall, 84 percent of the world’s inhabitants, which is estimated at 6.9 billion, identify with a religion, according to the study entitled “The Global Religious Landscape” issued by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/18/unaffiliated-third-largest-religious-group-after-christians-muslims_n_2323664.html. Accessed 14/04/2017

84% is approximately 5 out of every 6 people!

'The Huffington Post is a politically liberal American online news aggregator and blog ..' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Huffington_Post. Accessed 14/04/2017.

Surprising but true. Hallelujah! 

Amen.

• Permalink to web page

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"New Covenant: Authority" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

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Amen.

In Jesus' Hands: 2017

In Jesus' Hands: 2017

"Large crowds followed Jesus, and He healed them there" (Matthew 19:2).

In 2010 I reached a point where I was sick of being sick. I had been to lots of classes where God's healing power was made clear; I had seen Jesus heal countless people in many Christian meetings, and in people's homes, on the streets and in remote villages. I had seen people healed when I prayed for them, and I myself had been dramatically healed in my spirit, my body, and my soul, (that is, my emotions and memories).

•  Soon after our fourth child was born, I was healed of smoking; I didn't really quit, I was completely set free from it. I've never wanted another cigarette! This healing was from Jesus alone, no doctors were involved at all. Decades of heavy smoking had caused COPD which still limits my lung capacity and performance, but this is livable; my Respiratory doctor no longer needs to see me.

•  Jesus and many doctors have healed me from 4 melanoma cancers, the last was in 2006. Melanoma is often said to be the worst cancer; parts of the tumour will break off and travel through the blood stream to another part of your body and begin to grow there. I think doctors believe that it is impossible to survive four separate melanoma attacks; often they laugh in surprise when they read my medical history for the first time. I still get thoroughly checked two or three times a year for skin cancers.

•  Suddenly one morning Jesus set me free from alcohol. It happened in the middle of a Christian meeting when something else occupied all our attention; I just knew that I had been healed. I am now able to not drink at all. For years I had been worried that my drinking was way beyond my control. I am alcoholic yet sober! I'm so grateful.

         

"Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them" (Hebrews 7:25  - Amplified).

A Big Problem?

But as I saw things, there was still a big problem; only a few of my illnesses were ever healed, not all of me. And besides, the number of my health issues was increasing .. Instead of becoming fully healed, like all those people we read about in the Bible (Matthew 4:24, Luke 4:40), I was becoming less well.

Back then the list of all my illnesses included six life threatening or potentially crippling things, and ten or twelve others. I felt overwhelmed.

30 Days

After much prayer with Trish and our pastors, I believed by faith to do something totally Christ centred. On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I trusted that Jesus would fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, even those of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). I felt led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believed that I would become healthy in spirit, soul, mind and body; rested, alert and vigorous.

As the 30 days went past I prayed often and spent much time in the Bible. Although Trish and I thought it best to keep the whole project very quiet, Jesus made it plain on the first day that I was to diary to PsalmsOfJohn.com each evening; so this I did. "In Jesus' Hands" was the series that resulted.

I was delighted to find that I was not adversely affected by not taking my prescription medications (some of which I had had every day for years). I felt the same level of not-quite-well but not-really-sick as I did when I was obedient to my doctors.

But I was very disappointed that there seemed to be no positive changes in my health; there were no signs that I was healing.

This lack-of-apparent-change continued through the whole 30 day period. Remember, this was a faith journey. Jesus had suggested this path, indeed He had inspired and managed the whole thing. I sometimes felt I was just along for the ride (like the paralysed man on the mat in Luke 5:18-26), but was delighted to have been chosen by my lovely Lord Jesus for His special attention.

After the 30 days was over my life returned to "normal", although after this experience I would never be the same "normal" again .. I had lived so closely with a new view and experience of Jesus that my faith had grown to be like bullet proof steel. I resumed all my medications, took all scheduled tests and scans, and kept all my doctor appointments .. normal!

After a few weeks my disappointment turned to devastation. Why was I not healed? Even of some of my illnesses?

My thoughts turned inward: How dare I challenge God, the King of kings, that He would heal me .. All the old chestnuts came flooding into my mind: I'm not good enough, others deserve His help but how could I put my weak and sinful self among them? I felt both worthless and useless; my study and teaching were useless, my love was useless, PsalmsOfJohn.com was useless, all my prayer, useless.

But faith prevailed; the many teachings I had sat through showed Jesus as healer of all who came to Him (Matthew 9:35). Also, our Lord passed His ministry skills on to His Church, to all of us Christians; this is a fundamental part of the New Covenant!

"Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you'" (Jesus words: Luke 10:9).

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give" (Jesus words: Matthew 10:8).

A few days later Trish spoke to me (as only a wife will speak to her husband), and all my devastation melted in the face of her wise and loving words. Peace returned!

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24).

Now

Now 7 years have passed since that amazing month. I am still alive and remarkably well.

Happily many of my medical issues are resolved, particularly the big ones .. I AM NO LONGER UNDER THREAT OF DEATH OR BEING CRIPPLED FROM CANCER OR HEART DISEASE OR DIABETES OR ARTHRITIS!!

Jesus did hear my prayers: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" (Isaiah 49:15).

There are now only five medical specialists in my life where there used to be ten!

Sure, I am older and a little slower, a little less flexible. I now have some gaps where I used to have troublesome teeth. But I'm still active, vital even. I am active as a Christian, a husband, a father and grandfather, as a house-husband, a handyman and a volunteer for our local Member of Parliament and for the Heart Foundation.

And I write.

I love to have family and friends around and to cook for them; I love music and the out-doors, the bush and the beach. My exercise program has grown from walking by the river to the Live Longer Live Stronger program at our community gym, it's great; I am living stronger! Trish and I ride our bikes together and we bush-walk whenever we get the chance!

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (Jesus' words about us, John 10:10). Thank you Lord.

It's really good to be writing this now. So far, this year has been hard. Many things I'm committed to do seem to be long unrewarding uphill battles. Last year was remarkable as I flew along in a great cloud of God's grace; I saw Jesus going before me in everything I did (including some massive renovations). It was like standing in a river; that happy place we sometimes find ourselves, feet firmly planted, glorying in the sunshine and being out in nature, facing upstream with the endless flow of the river pushing and swirling past. Wonderful. So affirming. This year has not been the same.

So this is the best time to remember how good God is to me and to those around me. It's good to remember that what we see on TV and in the newspapers and the Internet is not the news; it's just what the media people want us to see. In my opinion, it's best to avoid the "popular" media, and not rely on them for facts or information! (There are truthful and morally sound media outlets; it's worth the effort to find those that are relevant to us).

Big News

The big news is that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords; His Christian Church is the biggest and best supported faith group in the world, and every day there are countless testimonies of fantastic things happening in people's lives in every country. God is our Father and Jesus never stops interceding for us. "For in him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds" (Psalm 9:1).

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever" (1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 136).

Report

All this happened more than 7 years ago. A long time. There have been huge medical changes in me .. How many people my age can say they are significantly healthier than 10 years ago? Very few? Well, I can! A miracle?

All the scary and life-threatening things are gone. Here is a report:

Heart

My worrying heart condition is healed. I believe that Jesus found Vincent, my last cardiologist, for me. After a number of cardiology adventures over two decades, Vincent uniquely identified my problem and applied just the right clinical fix, (a fairly new and very technical procedure). A couple of weeks later a registrar was checking me over, "I'm fixed", I said. The young doctor looked at me and laughed in surprise. I no longer need to see any heart specialists. A miracle?

Diabetes

Treatment for my last melanoma cancer was tough. The surgeons took out all the cancerous tissue from my temple and then thirty-four lymph nodes from my upper body. There are scars under my chin which look like zips and I have a lop-sided smile. Also, my internal thermostat and sweat system are damaged.

My oncologist put me on Interferon (which is like chemo-therapy); I injected myself every day for almost a year; it was a painful treatment and I became very run down; this tipped me over from being pre-diabetic into full-on type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a filthy disease; your body rots out from the inside .. your eyes begin to fail, and your circulation deteriorates, feeling goes from your legs and feet, from all your extremities, and ultimately you may need amputations! Many doctors say that diabetes is incurable, effectively a life sentence.

Apart from medications (which could do very little for me), the only defence against diabetes is diet and exercise. Praise Jesus! Trish is a Home Economics teacher and understands about food, exercise and our bodies .. She and I applied her wisdom to our lives and I am healed! I no longer get treatment for diabetes, nor do I need to be tested. All my degenerations have stopped, my ophthalmologist said my eyes have improved, then he told me I don't need to see him any more. They dropped me from the Diabetes Clinic. Hallelujah! Another miracle?

Fear and Anxiety
Those of us who were troubled by fear or anxiety were invited to come to the front at a Christian meeting. With the world in its present chaotic state, who does not fear for their family or their nation? I did, and often lay awake at night aware of my powerlessness in the face of the continuing erosion of security and of moral and cultural values. I did step forward, there were prayers, I knew immediately that something changed, I felt lighter.

Since then fear is defeated in me. Now, when I worry or become anxious or feel afraid, I simply call out to Jesus and it lifts off me. God has many names; one of Holy Spirit's names is "Comforter", the Comforter comes and I am free in a way I could not have believed. Another miracle?

"But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26).

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world'" (John 1:29)!

Feet and Knees

I was born with unusual feet, my family said I had "Grandma's feet". There came a time when I could no longer fit into footwear from the shops. Since then I have seen orthopedic surgeons who have done wonders with what would have been rapidly declining mobility; the first surgeon said, "It's a good thing you're here, otherwise you could be in a wheelchair by age 60". I wear custom made orthotic shoes, boots and sandals and can walk, climb ladders and hike in the bush. Praise Jesus for the lovely, caring medical people He has given me.

Along the way my "basketball knees" became troublesome; x-rays showed there to be arthritis with torn cartilages "like an old worn blanket". At one time I believed that Jesus healed the left knee (which was much worse than the right); my symptoms went away and my walk was easier. Recent x-rays show that the damage is still there; I now believe that Jesus simply made everything work better so that I could get around. All these years later I still walk with a limp, (like an old man?) but have great mobility and no pain. Praise Jesus for his loving care!

Mystery

I sometimes wonder why I am not fully healed, and why the miraculous healings in the Bible seem so much more complete than what I see in me and in the world today. Nothing I have experienced or learned answers these questions. To me it is a mystery, but I am at rest, at peace.

Paul, who is such a hero of the faith, also experienced a similar kind of mystery? He wrote ".. in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh .." (2 Corinthians 12:7). Many scholars have commented on this passage without finding a clear definition for Paul's "thorn". Perhaps my remaining medical worries are my thorn. (I know that I am prone to over-confidence, even pride. Do my health restraints help me keep an even keel?)

My many visits with doctors and other medical people give me so many opportunities to testify to God's presence with us and His great love and power. There is so much to be thankful for, so much to rejoice over. I'm happy to continue to live my Christian walk as best I can, and to grow in Jesus, and to share Him whenever I can. One day I'll be with Him and I can ask Him face to face .. in the meantime .. praise Jesus! Hallelujah!

Favourite Bible Verses

".. I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full" (Jesus' words, John 10:10).

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).

"Jesus said: 'He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water'" (John 7:38).

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Amen.

• Permalink to web page

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"046 In Jesus Hands: 2017" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7gYxFJBE8ohqYnM604CBng

Amen.