If He HAS blessed you, are you blessed now?

If He HAS blessed you, are you blessed now?
You name any Spiritual Blessing - He has blessed you with it. (Ephesians 1:3-4)
You are already blessed with every blessing.
Why? Because He chose you to be holy and without blame.
If you concentrate on the blessings, you will forget to sin....
If you concentrate on the blessings, you will forget to fail.
If you concentrate on the blessings, you will remember to tell other people about them.

Your Descendants Are Blessed.

Your Descendants Are Blessed.
Are you Christ's? Then you too are the seed of Abraham. (Galatians 3:29)
God says He has blessed you to be a blessing. (Genesis 22:17)
He will multiply your descendants. ...
Your descendants will have authority over their enemies.

Who are your descendants?
A descendant is someone who joins your family after you.
So those who come after you in joining the Family of God are your descendants.
Those you lead to Jesus or bring to church so we can lead them to Jesus.
They will be multiplied, there will be many descendants through you.
These descendants of yours will have all authority over the enemy.

Blessed To Be A Blessing.

Blessed To Be A Blessing.

You are blessed to be a blessing. (Genesis 12:1-3)
You are the deciding factor for the blessing coming to you.
Now, who will you bless with your blessing.
Note that God doesn’t curse. God’s version of a curse, is simply for a person to not receive the blessing.
Look at all the seemingly cursed people who live in this world without God.
Share your blessing and help people to move over into the blessed life.

Mercy and Truth bring Favour.

Mercy and Truth bring Favour.

Here is something we can do to bring favour into our lives.

Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favour and high esteem In the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)

Be merciful and truthful, let them be engraved on your heart.

Be kind to people and speak the truth of God's Word to them.

Then you will find favour and high esteem with God and man.

Favour upon Israel.

Favour upon Israel.

Israel did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was His right hand, His arm, and the light of His countenance, Because God favoured them. (Psalm 44:3)

The nation of Israel did not win their battles by their own might.

God's right hand, God's arm, God's light did it all.

Because He favoured them.

That favour is still upon Israel.

That favour is upon His Church too.

We don’t win battles by our own might either.

Favour brings protection.

Favour brings protection.
Psalm 5:12 says: For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favour You will surround him as with a shield.
We have been made righteous by the sacrifice of Jesus....
Favour surrounding us means God protecting us from harm.
Can you imagine how ineffective the fiery darts are against the shield of favour.
God is doing things for us that no-one else can prevent happening.

Favour upon the early Church.

Favour upon the early Church.
The early church met often and had favour with all the people. (Acts 2:46-47)
I believe that their attitude toward fellowshipping together helped to bring the favour that brought other people to church.
It seems that people who are happy to fellowship together a lot, will have other people added to them....
We have known this for years, that is why we promote our Home Groups and encourage fellowship among believers.

Favour upon Jesus.

Favour upon Jesus.
Luke 2:42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.
...

Jesus at the age of twelve, has favour with both God and the people.
That is the last we hear of Jesus now for eighteen years.
So having favour does not necessarily mean you will be at the forefront of everyone's mind.
But you are certainly at the forefront of God's mind.
Favour often comes quietly without any fuss.

Favour upon Mary.

Favour upon Mary.

Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. (Luke 1:30-31)

The favour God gave Mary was to allow her to be the person who would give birth to His Son. And to give her the grace to accept this honour with joy. Thank God she accepted.

Favour = What is due to grace.

Favour = What is due to grace. 

The token or proof of grace, benefit, bounty. A gift of grace.

It comes from the same root word as grace = joyful and happy.

The favour of God comes upon you when He wants to demonstrate His grace toward you by doing something that makes you joyful and happy..

There is no fear in love.

There is no fear in love.

If fear comes in, it is because you have forgotten you are loved.

If fear speaks to you - tell it that you are loved by Love Himself.

The love itself will cast out the fear. (1 John 4:18-19)

We love Him because He first loved us.

How do we know this? From the Bible.

A quote from Jesse Duplantis recently.

"Exploration is the foundation of the Word of God.

Giving you daily, a fresh revelation of who He is.

A fresh revelation of who you are in Him".

So get into the Word of God and explore.

We have Boldness, BECAUSE.

We have Boldness, BECAUSE.

Because. This is one of the most important words in the Bible.

It tells us why what we just read, is valid and true. 

Because as He is, so are we in this world.

Where is Jesus? Seated in heaven. 

As Jesus is there in heaven, so are we here.

Is He healed? Is He blessed? Is He prosperous? Is He at peace?

Jesus is healed - so am I.

Boldness in the day of judgement

Boldness in the day of judgement.

When is that day of judgement?

Whenever someone asks you about God.

Or you see a chance to confess openly that you worship Jesus.

When that opportunity happens you already have boldness:

  Freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech.

  Fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance.

You have that now. 

So go and tell someone - I am bold for Jesus.

Perfected Love.

Perfected Love.

Love has been perfected, brought to maturity among us. 

(1 John 4:17)

We have not been given a baby love for Him but a mature love.

Why? So that we can have boldness in the day of judgement.

A Confession of your Faith.

A Confession of your Faith.

Do you confess that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 4:15-16)

Confess: 

   To say the same thing as another, to agree with, assent. 

   (Basically to agree with what the Bible says about you.)

   To declare openly.

   To profess yourself to be a worshipper of Jesus.

Then know this - God abides in you and you abide in Him.

Do you really know and believe the love that God has for us?

God is love, if you abide in love, you abide in God and God abides in you.

What is love?

What is love? 
To prize and delight in someone. (John 3:16)
To have Spontaneous natural affection, emotional and unreasoning.
It is God wanting to do whatever it takes to show His love for you.
Do you believe in this only begotten Son of His?
Then you will not perish. You already have everlasting life.
Love Himself did that for you.
What are you prepared to do to show your love for Him?

Seeking the Things Above.

Seeking the Things Above.

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 

(Colossians 3:1-2)

Seek = To seek in order to find, to think about, to enquire after, to demand something, to crave something.

Because if we are raised with Him, we ARE seated with Him.

We are already above, so we seek those things where we are.

Set your mind = To have the same opinion as someone else.

To think of yourself as Jesus thinks of you.

Think above where you are in the natural, be spiritually minded.

Remember that you are already raised.

You don't have to DO anything to be raised, you already are.

The Resurrection supercedes death.

The Resurrection supercedes death.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. (Romans 6:8-9)

Because you now live with Jesus and your are risen with Him.

Death has no more dominion over you either.

We are united with Jesus in His resurrection.

We are united with Jesus in His resurrection.
If we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. (Romans 6:5)
Jesus was raised from the dead and went straight to heaven.
We will do the same.

Have you have been pickled with that Jesus anointing?

Have you have been pickled with that Jesus anointing?

The word baptised is also used when pickling something. (Galatians 3:27)

If you are not sure what I mean, see http://bit.ly/1Q4pyCp

Then you are already raised and should walk in newness of life.(Romans 6:4)

Should walk, is a choice. You can still walk the old way.

You can still refuse to love your enemies. But it will harm you.

You can still think the old way. But it will keep you bound.

You can still refuse to tithe. But it will harm you financially.

Choose today to walk in newness of life.

Now being in Christ, we are risen with Him.

Now being in Christ, we are risen with Him.

Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him. (Colossians 2:12)

“Raised with” Him = Greek word  soon-eg-i'-ro = To cause to rise together.

Soon = together, to be united, producing companionship, bringing completeness.

Egiro = To rise from death, to sit up, to stand up.

We are raised from the dead - WITH Him.

When He rose from the dead, we rose with Him in unison.

Together like an orchestra and rising like an orchestra rises to take a bow.

That means you are not - “going to rise with Him”.

You WERE risen with Him, you ARE risen with Him.  

If someone asks you if you celebrate Easter, answer like I do.

I celebrate Easter every day, because every day it blesses me.

Baptised Into Christ.

Baptised Into Christ.

Thee are three baptisms available to the believer.

Baptised into Christ, baptised in water, and baptised in the Spirit.

Being baptised into Christ, is when you get Born Again. (Galatians 3:27)

The Greek word baptised means like being pickled.

Once an onion is pickled, it takes on the characteristics of the liquid that it is baptised in. And  it is no longer subject to the normal laws of degeneration with age.

It undergoes a permanent change and can never be un-pickled.

Once you are baptised into Christ, you are immersed in Him and undergo a permanent change. 

You are no longer subject to the laws of degeneration.

Taking on the characteristics of the One you are baptised in.

The tomb is empty because Father raised Jesus from the dead.

The tomb is empty because Father raised Jesus from the dead.
Father God delivered Jesus up for death, for us. (Acts 23-24)
The religious Jews wanted Him out of the way, killed.
Father God Himself raised Jesus up from the dead....
Once Jesus had entered hell on our passport of sin.
He could lay the sin down there because it was not His.
Now He became the Lord of Glory again and defeated Satan.
Took away from Satan his keys of death and hell. Revelation 1:18
Death is swallowed up in His victory. Isaiah 25:8

Jesus made a public spectacle of Satan.

Jesus made a public spectacle of Satan.
Jesus took a written copy of all the charges against you brought by your sin. (Colossians 2:14-15)
He wiped the paper clean and nailed it to His cross.
Jesus disarmed Satan so he has no real weapons against you....
He has to use deception to trick you back into sin.
Then made a public spectacle of him by rising from the dead.
Jesus took His life up again.
Some jailer the devil turned out to be.

Jesus Defied Satan.

1 Corinthians 2:7-8, This proves that Satan does not know everything.
He could have prevented salvation by stopping the crucifixion.
Jesus defeated Satan by entering hell using our sin, which is the passport to hell. Your sin allowed Jesus to be admitted to hell....
Satan could not understand how the death of One could bring life to millions.

Jesus took our sin.

Jesus took our sin.
Jesus became our substitute here by taking upon Himself, our sins. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
The most righteous person who never committed one sin.
Took every sin for everyone who lives for all time....
He didn't just carry our sin, He was made to be sin.
When Jesus died, sin died.
If Jesus took your sin, you can’t have it anymore.
You are no longer a sinner.
We all sin from time to time, but we are no more sinners by nature.
Now we have to get in the flesh to sin.

Jesus laid down His life and takes it up again.

Jesus laid down His life and takes it up again.
Jesus speaks here about the resurrection too.
Lay down and take up. (John 10:17-18)
No-one takes His life from Him, He voluntarily lays it down....
He has the power, the authority to lay it down and take it up.
The Jews did not kill Him, the Romans did not kill Him.
He laid down His own life, so that we can live with Him.

Jesus laid down His life.

Jesus laid down His life.

Jesus first establishes His relationship with Father God. (John 10:15-16)

Jesus laid His life down for sheep of that fold in Israel.

Jesus also laid His life down for the other sheep not of that fold - us.

They WILL hear His voice and WILL become one flock.

Jesus gets His prayers answered.

Fold is about geography and flock is about ownership.

There is just one church in many different locations, all with Jesus as Lord.

Jesus Endured The Cross - So We Can Focus On Joy.

Jesus Endured The Cross - So We Can Focus On Joy.

Joy is a strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

Joy empowers you. Joy helps you overcome. 

Joy makes you a winner. Joy is contagious.

Look forward to joy and not back to the problem.

Focus on the problem and the joy gets blurred and fades away.

Focus on joy and the problem gets blurred and fades away.

HE IS RISEN.

Need Help Tithing?

Need Help Tithing?

You might find it hard especially when Pastors keep on about it.

Well we will only keep on about what The Bible says.

So speak to Jesus and ask a friend you know who tithes, for help.

You know you need to do more of it.

If I asked in church for the tithers to put up their hands, they would be happy to do it because it is what God wants.

If I asked who doesn't tithe, no-one would put their hand up.

It's not something to be proud of because you know you should be tithing.

So call upon that friend and ask for help.

And friend - help them when they ask.

Need Help Praying?

Need Help Praying?

You might find it hard especially when Pastors keep on about it.

Well we will only keep on about what The Bible says.

So speak to Jesus and ask a friend you know who prays, for help.

You know you need to do more of it.

If I asked in church for those who pray, to put up their hands, they would be happy to do it because it is what God wants.

If I asked who doesn't pray, no-one would put their hand up.

It's not something to be proud of because you know you should be praying.

So call upon that friend and ask for help.

And friend - help them when they ask.

Consider Jesus

Consider Jesus.

We all have things in our life that Jesus wants to change.

Yes change is hard sometimes, but it is worth it for the joy set before us.

When it comes to change in our own life, we remember what Jesus went though for us, whenever we find it hard. (Hebrews 12:3)

Don't get discouraged, you can make it with Him.

Or like most, you might need a little help from your friends.

The Joy Set Before Us.

The Joy Set Before Us.

When we are born again, we become a Christian in progress who now has a calling. 

God wants each of us to carry out our calling in His Church.

When we start out as a Christian, we do not know just how much joy is set before us. (Hebrews 12:2)

So we endure the betrayals and the trials to get to where He needs us to be. And we endure all the cleaning up.

None of us are qualified to do what we are called for, but He calls us anyway.

Sometimes we need the help of other people.

Always we need His help to endure, so we can receive the joy.

The Week Before The Cross.

The Week Before The Cross.

In the week before Jesus went to The Cross for us.

He entered Jerusalem in triumph on a donkey.

He cleaned The Temple of those buying and selling.

He had His last supper with the disciples.

He went to Gethsemane to pray.

He was betrayed by Judas.

He was arrested and tried.

He went to The Cross.

Many Christians can identify with these events.

When Jesus entered my life there was celebration.

Then Jesus spent time cleaning this temple, getting rid of old ways and old beliefs (He is still working on that).

I realised the importance of communion and fellowship.

I learned to pray - Jesus said, could you not pray for one hour?

I was betrayed and went though many trials.

But at each step I went to The Cross and reminded myself of what Jesus has done for me.

The Empty Cross

The Empty Cross.

Here is a picture of an empty cross.

Did you know there are always two empty crosses?

There was an empty cross before Jesus died on it, and an empty one afterwards. They have completely different meanings.

The first one is the one that you know is coming soon, when you are preparing for some stuff that is going to be uncomfortable.

The second cross represents joy. (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus Is Coming For His Church.

Jesus Is Coming For His Church.

If we really are approaching the end of the time before Jesus comes back for His Church, and I believe we are. 

(Matthew 13:12-13)

There is a lot to do, we don't have time to waste doing nothing.

Believers should be reaching out to people for Jesus.

You can reach people face to face.

You can reach people by telephone.

You can reach people by writing.

You can reach people online.

Go for it.

Redeeming Time for The World.

Redeeming Time for The World.
God wants us to redeem our time concerning unsaved people. (Colossians 4:5-6)
How much time to you spend encouraging people to come to church or to come to Jesus?
Speaking with grace, remember we share the Good News....
How can you know how to answer each one? You pray.
The Holy Spirit will lead you into what to say to them.

What are your favourite ways of spending time?

What are your favourite ways of spending time?
Mobile Phone, Eating, Reading the Bible, Sleeping, Exercising, Studying or Homework, Watching TV, Being with Friends, At Church.
Do you know that you can keep time or lose it?...
Even watching TV can be good if you watch the right stuff.
Sometimes we have to prepare in advance to spend time.
We book holidays in advance. We book tables at restaurants.
We need to prepare for church too.

Does anyone need to do some redeeming of the time there?

Time is like money - we spend it.

Time is like money - we spend it.
Whenever you redeem time, especially for God, you feel good.
You say - that was a good time. Time well spent.
We say - money well spent, when we get something worth it....
Can you always say that at the end of a day?
Have you spend quality time with someone?
Have you done something that blesses someone else?
Have you improved your life in any way?

Time Is Slipping Away

Time is slipping away and Jesus will be back soon.
Our time is in His hands. Especially in these evil days.

Redeeming the time = To make wise and Godly use of every opportunity for doing good, so that our passion and well doing are the purchase price, by which we make the time our own.
We spend time like we spend money - wisely or foolishly.
Ephesians 5:14-16

Celebrating Time

  Celebrating Time 

Time is a precious thing that we will only ever see once.

No-one can have another chance to spend their time.

We all want to make the best use of it and not waste it.

God wants us to redeem the time, because the days are evil. 

Ephesians 5:14-16

Mothers Teach and Encourage You.

Mothers Teach and Encourage You.

Mothers teach you the things of life and how to saty safe.

The Holy Spirit is our teacher, and He teaches the teachers. John 14:25-26

Mothers encourage you that you can make it, you can achieve.

The Holy Spirit brings the encouraging words of Jesus to mind.

You can do it, God says you are more than a conqueror. 2 Chronicles 35:2

Mothers Love You.

Mothers Love You.

The very love from God to you has been placed in your heart by the Holy Spirit Himself.

So if you ever feel God doesn't love you, look in to your heart.

That is where a mother places her love, so does The Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5.

Mothers Clothe You.

Mothers Clothe You.

Like a mother, He clothes you with robes of righteousness and a garment of praise.

Like a mother, He always wants you to look your best because you represent Him. See Luke 12:28.

Mothers Feed Us And Wean Us.

Mothers Feed Us And Wean Us.
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able.
God can only feed us with the milk of the word until we are mature enough to take solid food....
Just like mothers do.

Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Pastors are the sheep-feeders. Giving you the tools for life.
Feeding you with the meat of The Word once you are weaned.

Mothers Comfort You

Mothers Comfort You.

John 14:16-17  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.

Whenever we need comfort, the Holy Spirit is there for us.

In our time of need, He is there.

He never leaves us, He is always available to comfort us.

He supports us like a mother would,  making us feel safe when He is around.

Mothers Give Birth.

Mothers Give Birth.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
You are born again by the power of God through the revelation you received at your spiritual conception.

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
We are born again of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is in effect both the maternal and the midwife aspect of our new birth.

What Do Mothers Do?

What Do Mothers Do?
They conceive. Give birth. Comfort you. Feed you. Wean you. Clothe you. Love you. Teach you. Encourage you.
I want to show you that God does all of these things.
I am not saying that God is a woman, but He fulfils all these maternal roles for our benefit.

Mothers Conceive.
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.
It is God that causes conception to happen, He formed you in the womb, it is His special miracle.

Are you sick? Then come to Church

Are you sick? Then come to Church.

Tell us if you need prayer. 

 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15)

The Church is God's hospital, where He wants to heal you.

It is best to come to Church when you feel unwell to get healed, rather than stay at home sick.

Come and get one of the elders to pray and anoint you so you can be healed.

It is where you can receive forgiveness too.

Marriage and The Church.

Marriage and The Church.
Mainly for the men.
What do you think ladies?
For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Saviour of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. (Ephesians 5:23-25)

God likens marriage to The Church.
Husbands are the head like Jesus is the head, as a saviour, a protector, a provider..
Husbands are to take the responsibility, not to be in control.
Wives are to be subject to their husband like we are to Jesus.
He may lead and guide and command, but we choose to follow, He has given us free will.
There are times when we don’t get it right and we say no to Jesus.
There are times when wives can say no to their husbands too.
So husbands love your wife like Jesus loves the Church.
He laid His life down, so should husbands.

Gifts in The Church.

Gifts in The Church.
Which gifts has He given you?
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28)
...

These gifts from God are found nowhere else but in The Church.
We can be out in the world acting as the Church and take our gifts with us. The Church is where these gifts operate in their fullness.
Which gifts has He given you?

Jesus will build His Church.

Jesus will build His Church.
Tell us what this means to you.
Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:16-18)
...

The Church is built upon the rock of God revealing things of The Kingdom to people, as revelation knowledge.
You are a part of His church because of what Father revealed to you about The Gospel and about His love and Jesus' sacrifice.
Whatever anyone may have told you about Jesus, Father God revealed it to you as the truth.
That is the foundation that Jesus is building His Church upon.
In no way is Jesus referring to building His Church on Peter.

Jesus will build His Church.

Jesus will build His Church.
Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:16-18)

The Church is built upon the rock of God revealing things of The Kingdom to people, as revelation knowledge.
You are a part of His church because of what Father revealed to you about The Gospel and about His love and Jesus' sacrifice.
Whatever anyone may have told you about Jesus, Father God revealed it to you as the truth.
That is the foundation that Jesus is building His Church upon.
In no way is Jesus referring to building His Church on Peter.

Ambassadors for Jesus.

Ambassadors for Jesus.
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:20-21)
We are God's ambassadors in earth, His representatives here....
We beg you, get yourself in line with God's will for your life.
Be reconciled to Him as your King, and as your God.
He is The King for whom you are an ambassador.
Remember that ambassadors live in an embassy, the Church is our Embassy.
We live in a foreign country, the world.
We have safety and security as long as we remain in The Church.
As soon as we go back out into the world acting like sinners, we lose our protection and our power. But we can also be out in the world acting like believers, sharing The Gospel and retain our immunity.

The Church is The Body of Christ.

The Church is The Body of Christ.
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Because everything has been put under the feet of Jesus and we are in Him, everything is under our feet too....
Jesus is our head and we are each members of His Body.
Church is the Body of Christ in the earth. The called-out ones.
We are His representatives here in every church on the planet.
The Church is empowered by the fulness of God.
The Church is the most powerful body of people on earth.

There are seven feast days in Israel.

There are seven feast days in Israel.
Three of these are major feasts.
Passover
Feast of Weeks...
Feast of Tabernacles.

Passover was when Jesus laid down His life for us.
Jesus was the final Passover Lamb.
His death bought us life.
The Feast of Weeks is fifty days after Passover.
Otherwise known as the Day of Pentecost.
This is when the Holy Spirit was released in the earth.
Just as Jesus promised.
The Feast of Tabernacles is when God tabernacles (dwells) with His people. This is when Jesus returns and we will tabernacle with God and He with us.
Jesus is coming back.

Are You Thirsty?

Are You Thirsty?

If anyone thirsts let him come. (John 7:37-38)
There is an artesian well in us.
That is where the pressure behind the water in the valley is created by the water from the surrounding hills. Pressure that produces life.
We need to step into the victory He already won for us.
There is God stuff all around you ready to be seen that is waiting for you to quit trying to do it yourself.

Riding The Donkey

Riding The Donkey

In the last few days of Jesus life, He enters Jerusalem.
The religious people are expecting their Messiah to arrive on a horse with an army.
God provides a donkey. 
God will always provide a means of getting you to where He wants you to be.
Donkeys can kick bite or carry - You decide.
God often brings the least expected means of victory.
It takes us out of the equation.

Worshipping with a difference.

Worshipping with a difference.

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. (Zephaniah 3:16-17)

God is rejoicing and singing over you.
When was the last time you did something for the first time in your worship to God.
Doing something differently will bring a different result that you will enjoy.

No Fear.

No Fear.

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

As believers in Jesus, He does not want us to be fearful.
There is no fear in heaven or in God Himself, so He cannot give us fear.
Instead He gives us the Holy Spirit who brings us:
A Spirit of power.
A Spirit of love.
And a Spirit of a sound mind.
A sound mind is one that believes everything that God placed in the Bible.
Let's continue to celebrate the power of God as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.

Joy and Peace by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Joy and Peace by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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

It is the power of the Holy Spirit that gives us this abundant hope.
So that we can have all the joy and peace we need as believers.
All we need is empowered by the Holy Spirit so that we lack nothing.

The Power of The Holy Spirit.

The Power of The Holy Spirit.

Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)

Jesus is speaking to the disciples about the Holy Spirit that He promised would come.
Bringing the power of heaven to earth in His people.

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

When we are Born Again and become part of His Kingdom, is when we allow the Holy Spirit to come into our lives.
Then we invite The Holy Spirit to come upon us, then we too have the power and we can be
His witnesses with power.
We can tell people what we have seen and heard, like any other witness.
We can share with the power of the Gospel behind us.

According to the power that works in us.

According to the power that works in us.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Yes He can do much more than we can ask or think.
But only if we allow that power work in us. We can stop it.
How much power do you allow Him to work in you?
We can forget that He has given us all the power over the enemy.
We can forget that Jesus is able to do it all, if we let Him.
He can do better than we can ask or think, if we let Him.
We need to rely more on the power of The Holy Spirit.
And less upon our own power to do things.

The Power that raised Jesus from the dead.

The Power that raised Jesus from the dead.

And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:19-20)

Here Paul is praying for the believer, because God wants us to know how great this power is that He has given us.
It is exactly the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
Amazing.
It is not just a great power, is has exceeding greatness, huge, mega power.

Power over the enemy.

Power over the enemy.

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

Jesus has given us the power over the enemy, the devil.
Power to tread on them, stamp on them.
The devil is under your feet.
This does not mean that if you bang your head against a wall it won’t hurt you.
But whenever you are on duty sharing the Gospel, nothing can stop you.
No power held by the devil is a match for the Gospel power in the believer.

The Power of The Gospel.

The Power of The Gospel.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

Power = Greek word Dunamis - Dynamite power that comes from God.
The Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ is the only message in the world with the power from God to completely destroy sin and save people from hell.
The word “Greek” here refers to anyone who is not a Jew, so that means us too. We are saved by His power.

Sealed by The Holy Spirit.

Sealed by The Holy Spirit.

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

In Jesus, something else also happened.
After you first trusted, after you heard the word for salvation and believed in Jesus - you were sealed.
The Holy Spirit is the seal on your salvation - it cannot be cancelled or tampered with.
The same Holy Spirit who was promised, brings the promises.
This amazing Holy Spirit is our guarantee of our inheritance.
Until that day Jesus returns for us, and takes to Himself everyone He purchased with the blood of Jesus.
So give Him praise.
That is why I love being able to pray in tongues through The Holy Spirit.
It reminds me of my redemption. It reminds me that I am sealed and cannot be unsealed.

Given an Inheritance.

Given an Inheritance.

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:11-12)

In Jesus you have already an inheritance, it is written in His will - The Bible.
You have already received it, so you can walk in it now.
Being predestined on purpose, so you can fulfil His will in you.
He wants everyone who trusts in Him as their saviour, to praise Him and glorify Him in our daily lives.

Grace to Love.

Grace to Love.
That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, in Him. (Ephesians 1:10)

There is coming a time soon when all the believers will be gathered together, both those in heaven and those on earth.
We can start that process off here by getting to know each other better.
We do that by love.
John 13:35 says: By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
Our love must be visible. How many people in your church could you bless?
What can you do about making your love for them more visible?

Grace brings Wisdom.

Grace brings Wisdom.
Grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself. (Ephesians 1:8-9)
When Father gives grace, it is always "more than enough"....
Grace to receive, understand and walk in His wisdom and prudence.
Prudence = to know and have a holy love for God's will.
He has told us what His will is for us. Blessings in abundance.
It pleases our Father that you are part of His family.

Redemption Through His Blood.

Redemption Through His Blood.
To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:6-7)
As adopted children, we give Him all the glory because of His grace to us....
That grace made you acceptable in Jesus, you are already accepted.
In Jesus you have redemption, you have been purchased.
You have been bought out of the slavery of sin, by Jesus blood.
His sacrifice forgave your sins because of His amazing grace.

Chosen to be Adopted.

Chosen to be Adopted.
Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. (Ephesians 1:4-5)

Now let me tell you how and when this all started.
He chose you to be in Jesus and to be holy before sin ever existed. So none of your sins or the sins of others against you, could not stop Father God choosing you to with Him.
You have been made holy enough to be in His presence.

How?
From before time, Father saw ahead to when you received Jesus and He decided then, (predestined) to adopt you as one of His own children.
Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, and because you please Him.

Blessings In Heavenly Places

Blessings In Heavenly Places.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

This separates us from those who don't believe that God has a son.

Father has already blessed us, past tense. 

With how many blessings? Every blessing. 

Where are these blessings? In heavenly places.

So they cannot be affected by us, the devil or anything else, the blessings are ours. Nothing can stop them belonging to us, or reaching us when we need them.

How do we qualify for them? 

Simply by being born again, by being in Christ.

The Enemy Has Been Defeated

The Enemy Has Been Defeated.

God then ends this prophecy by dealing with our enemies. (Jeremiah 30:19-20)

I will punish all that oppress them.

Any group or individual that tries to stop God working in our lives will be answerable to God.

The devil will be halted in his tracks.

We can relax and get on with the job in hand.

Would anyone like to see this Word from God happen in your church?

Do you receive this prophecy as applying to you?

Then let's do it.

How will God Establish His Church?

How will God Establish His Church?

And He says - their congregation shall be established before me. (Jeremiah 30:19-20)

The people of the church will be settled and established in Him.

But how?

2 Corinthians 13

1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.

 

Let this scripture be your safeguard against false doctrine.

Living our lives by confirmation of The Word of God.

Not just clinging on to a single verse hoping it will come to pass.

But established by several confirming scriptures in our lives.

And able to quote several verses to apply in any situation.

Defeating the enemy with every confirming and establishing Word.

A Glorified Church

A Glorified Church.

God also said in Jeremiah 30:19-20 - that He will glorify the church.

How will He glorify the church?

By adding people to us, which makes people see God in it.

Surely only God can make a church grow like that.

He will honour our stand for Him by increasing us.

He then said - their children shall be as aforetime.

It will get back to the place it was years ago when children were not subject to so much pressure from the world.

Where children could just enjoy life and have fun.

Where children could be children.

Go Into All The World

Go Into All The World.

Jesus said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)

But here is the dilemma, what is "The Gospel" to you?

What is it about The Bible that has changed your life?

What is it about your relationship with God that is worth sharing with other people?

Do you think that being a Christian is a convenient thing.

Or is it one of life's essentials?

If you can answer those questions positively, you will want other people to experience the

same blessings.

Go into all the world means, look everywhere for opportunities.

In shops, at work, in leisure situations, on the internet.

Preach means - be a Herald, tell people what happened to you.

Tell them what Jesus said. He loves them. He died for them.

He wants to set them free from their bondage.

Every creature just means:

Family, friends, neighbours, co-workers, people you meet.

If you are open for God to use you, He will make it happen.

Multiplied By God.

Multiplied By God.

God also said in Jeremiah 30:19-20 - that He will multiply us, we will not be few.

He wants more people acting like free men and women.

Full of thanksgiving and praise.

Always finding something to be thankful about.

Always rejoicing over the bondage we have been set free from.

But how will He multiply us?

He will multiply us when we are obedient to His Word.

When we follow His leading, and His Word in the Bible.

Freed From Bondage

Freed From Bondage. 

Jeremiah 30:19-20 is what happened when Israel were restored from captivity.This is like the church people being free from bondage and letting their joy and thanksgiving be seen openly. 

Are you free from the bondage of sin and religion? 

Are you free from their trappings like:You are not worthy to receive from God.God might not want to heal you. 

You don't have to tithe.

Those traps all belong to people who have not been set free. 

Have you been set free?Then let your voice and your face know that you are free.

A great message for the church

This is the Word that God gave us in 2007 and told us to revive for today. A great message for the church.
And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. (Jeremiah 30:19-20)

Beautiful Feet

Beautiful Feet.

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:15)

You get beautiful feet by spreading The Gospel.

You get to know The Gospel by reading The Word of God.

Don’t forget to Like and Share the Word of God.

So your friends can know what is important to you.

Father proved how important His Word is to the world

Father proved how important His Word is to the world.

John 1:14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Father sent Jesus who IS The Word of God in human form.

Now as a Christian (little Christ) we should be the same.

Full of grace and truth.

To do that we need our minds overflowing with His Word.

Then we can overcome the attacks of the devil in our mind.

So when he says you are sick, your mind remembers - I am healed.

Jesus Spoke Father’s Words - So Should We.

Jesus Spoke Father’s Words - So Should We.
John 14:24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
The words Jesus spoke came from Father God....
We need to know that He loves us that much to bring Love’s words to us.
Jesus did not want us to know what He thought about anything.
We need to rely on Father’s Word just as much as Jesus did.

Test The Spirits.

Test The Spirits.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
I know God ministers to our spirit, but the devil attacks the mind.
...

How do you test a spirit? Does it line up with the Word of God?
Can you find other believers who agree with that spirit?
Two of the biggest lying spirits easily believed are:
1. God won’t answer my prayer because I am not worthy.
That is because you still believe what has been said in the past.
2. I don’t have to tithe.
Easy to believe because it suits the carnal mind.
You cannot live a spiritual life and not tithe, because it is Word of God.

Get Your Mind Filled With God’s Word.

Get Your Mind Filled With God’s Word.

Romans 10:17 Says - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I like to say hear, faith comes by hearing and hearing.
We don’t always get it the first time we hear it.
Also faith comes by hearing, not reading.
Speak it out loud to yourself as you read, you will remember it better too.
You can only truly believe the parts of the Bible that you feed your brain on. Your level of faith is based on your level of hunger for The Word of God.
If you do not feed on The Bible, when I preach, your mind shuts my words out.
Read the Bible all the way through, it just took me one year of ten minutes each night.

How Your Brain Works.

How Your Brain Works.

Now whilst we want everyone who uses Facebook to be more sharing and liking about Christian posts, especially from FCF.
Not everyone understands this modern means of communicating.
If that is the case, let me tell you why.
Your brain is trying to understand what I am saying.
But because it has no previous record of this, it is finding it hard.

Your brain has never seen a beautiful face.
Your brain has never heard the sound of a baby giggling.
Your brain has never tasted anything sweet.
Your brain has never smelled any expensive perfume.
Your brain has never touched anything soft.

Your brain relies totally on what you have told it in the past.
To make sense of what is happening now.

How would scripture look if Jesus and the disciples had been on Facebook?

How would scripture look if Jesus and the disciples had been on Facebook?
We can copy that style by liking, tagging and sharing things that mean so much to us, so that we want our friends to see it too.
John 1:40-44
One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He TAGGED his own brother Simon, and said to him, We have LIKED the Messiah. And he  SHARED Jesus with Him. The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, so He TAGGED Philip and said to him, LIKE Me.
Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip TAGGED Nathanael and said to him, We have LIKED Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote; Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Love Never Fails.

Love Never Fails.
When Caroline preached last Sunday, she quoted from "You And I How Incredible".
There is a camaraderie, unique to lovers....
It grows out of the un-romantic demands of daily living.
It is each one given to the other, dividing life's burdens and joys.
It is faith in their commitment, tightly bound into their faith in the God who holds all things
together.
Love knows no limit to its endurance, and no end to its trust.
No fading of its hope, it can outlast anything.
Love never fails.

Who can find a virtuous Spouse?

Who can find a virtuous Spouse?
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. (Proverbs 13:10-12)
We can also read this for the men....
A marriage is not a 50/50 arrangement.
It is 100/100 where both put everything into it, then ....
Both will consider the worth of the other above measure.
Both will act in a way that engenders trust.
Both will ensure that the other is fully provided for.
Both will only do good for the other.
Sounds like a definition for love, because it is.

Love Overcomes.

Love Overcomes.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Love has to be the most important aspect of marriage.
Love keeps going even when we get upset.
Love loves the other person being blessed.
Love stays in the background, winning.
Love stays loving and kind despite any pressure.
Love cannot think a bad thought about anyone.
Love desires to heal every hurt.
Love loves to hear the truth.
Love can handle anything.
Love can believe for anything.
Love can hold on until.
Love never fails.

Sunday was a day of GREAT JOY.

Sunday was a day of GREAT JOY.
We celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday in an atmosphere of pure joy.
Romans 15:13 says: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
...

Filled with joy seeing our family and friends who could join us.
Especially those who had travelled to be here.
Filled with joy at the lovely cards and gifts we were given.
Filled with joy just seeing the beauty of the floral decorations.
Made by God, arranged by Jill Law.
Filled with joy at the kind messages we received here on Facebook.
Filled with joy - still in love with each other after forty years.
Filled with joy - Jesus is still Lord of our marriage.

Marriage is about being here for one another.

Marriage is about being here for one another. Ecclesiastes 4 9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. We help one another, we lift up one another. We comfort one another, love one another. We compliment one another with our gifts and talents. But most of all, we do not do marriage on our own. There are three people in our marriage, the third person is Jesus. A three-fold cord is not quickly broken. The key is - both husband and wife should be in love with the same man - Jesus.

Keys to Marriage

After 40 years of marriage we know that one of the main keys is. 

Always wanting to be with one another. 

But Ruth said: Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.

(Ruth 1:16-17)

FCF on Facebook

FCF on Facebook.

FCF's Facebook Page was launched in 31 March 2012.

Each time someone “likes”or “shares” a post on our FCF page, more people see it.

Your friends see what is important to you.

If you want to celebrate The Word of God, then you too need to use as many means as possible.

This is one of the many means of reaching people.

So "like" or "share" and you are celebrating The Word of God.

If your church is not FCF then please like and share all the good stuff your Pastor posts on your church Facebook Page.

The Vision for FCF

The Vision for FCF

To bring the Word of God to as many people as possible by as means as possible. 

To be a bold example of love and holiness wherever we are. 

To build up our foundation to support this vision.

This vision for FCF was given to us in 1986.

God specifically told us to say - Word of God instead of Bible.

Unless the Bible is The Word of God to you, it is just a book.

Bring The Word of God by as many means as possible.

When God gave us this word in 1986, there was no internet.

That went live in 1991.

When God gave us this word in 1986, there was no Facebook. That went live in 2004. 

When FCF was founded, Mark Zuckerberg was 2.

The internet and Facebook are two of our "as many means as possible".

Use them to Celebrate The Word of God with your friends.

Born Again by The Word

Born Again by The Word

Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  (John 1:13-14)

We are born (again) not by a natural birth, nor by anyone's will.

We are born (again) by God's will.

Jesus The Word of God became a flesh and blood person.

If we are born again by The Word of God.

Then the Word of God doesn't just dwell among us, but in us.

You have The Word of God in you.

That is why you too are full of His glory, full of grace and truth.

Celebrate this awesome event of you being Born Again.

Celebrate the Word of God dwelling in you.

Jesus is The Word of God.

Jesus is The Word of God. Jesus came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:11-12) Jesus and The Word of God came to the Jewish people first. They rejected Jesus from His position as Messiah. The un-born-again Jews still do not accept the New Testament. But all who receive Jesus have the right to be a child of God. All who receive The Word have the right to be a child of God. All who believe in His name. His name is The Word of God. Revelation 19:13 says His name is called The Word of God. So we can read - all who believe in The Word of God - The Bible, and in the Name of Jesus being The Word of God. These are children of God. How much do you believe in The Word? Do you even read it for yourself? Do you celebrate it?

The Light and Life of The Word

The Light and Life of The Word All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:3-4) This word “Him” means Jesus AND it means The Word of God. Everything was made by The Word and through The Word. If you want to receive anything from God, it will come through The Word. The Word of God - your Bible - has creative power. That is why when you pray - you must pray The Word exactly. In The Word is life - it is the only thing that creates New Life. This Word, this Bible, this life brings light into people's lives.

What does God say about celebrating The Word?

What does God say about celebrating The Word? In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2) Right there in first place is The Word of God - Jesus Himself. Yes The Word is not only with God, it is God, Jesus IS God. The Word was there from the start. It has not been superceded. There has never been an “Issue 2" of The Bible.

We need to celebrate the Word of God.

We need to celebrate the Word of God. Mainly because of what it is to us. We should enjoy The Word of God and celebrate what it means to us. Each of us enjoys good food. So we taste a great cake and say, that is amazing. When was the last time you said that about a Bible verse? Which part of your Bible is amazing?

How to operate in your ministry.

How to operate in your ministry.
Everybody has a ministry through Jesus.

God gave us three principal areas of ministry.
Everyone of us operates in one of these ministry types.

Are you a people person, do you love being with people?
You will talk to people and help them understand.
You will tell them your experience, your testimony.
Then lead them to accept Jesus.
Get some help from your Pastor if you need to.

Are you a practical person, do you like doing things for people?
Tou will do things for people and they will ask why you are doing it.
When you tell them that you do it because Jesus loves them.
Then you can lead them to accept Jesus.
Or bring them to your Pastor if you need to.

Are you a background person who loves to pray?
You will pray to remove the obstacles in peoples lives.
Then you will pray for people to be Born Again..
You may never know until heaven how many you brought.
Talk to your Pastor and ask if there are any specific people to be prayed for.

So what is your ministry?

So what is your ministry?
Everybody has a ministry in Jesus.

Are you a people person, do you love being with people?
Then your ministry will have a pastoral edge to it.
You will be there with people to help them accept Jesus.
Go and do it.

Are you a practical person, do you like doing things for people?
Then your ministry will have a ministry of helps edge to it.
You will do things for people that will help them accept Jesus.
Go and do it.

Are you a background person who loves to pray?
Then your ministry will have an intercessory edge to it.
You will pray for people so that they can accept Jesus.
Go and do it.

Our Ministry.

Our Ministry.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

First He wants us to know that we are a new creation.
That all the old stuff that was holding you back is gone.
Everything about you is new - if you will accept it.
Now everything about us is God, and He has given us a ministry.
Our ministry of reconciliation is a word of reconciliation.
That word that you can tell people is: "God is not holding your sin against you, you can come to Him."

The Saints do The Ministry.

The Saints do The Ministry. Ephesians 4:11-12 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Jesus gave the five-fold ministry to equip the saints for their ministry of building up the Body of Christ, the church. Building the church is your job. When you consider that a Pastor is another word for shepherd. That makes you one of Jesus' sheep who are part of this fold. This is how we know that the saints (you) do the ministry work, the stuff that builds up the church. Shepherds do not beget sheep. Sheep beget sheep go and bring them in.

Kings and Priests to God.

Kings and Priests to God. Revelation 5:9-10 And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth. This is heaven singing to Jesus and declaring our redemption. Here is the question: Have you been redeemed by the blood of Jesus? Then you have been made both a king and a priest to Him. We are the priests over which He is the High Priest. As a king you are representing the King of kings. You have a position to uphold in the earth. And more personally, you are a child of God. He is your Dad.

Our 30th Anniversary as a church is in September.

Our 30th Anniversary as a church is in September. Luke 3:21-23 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased. Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age. Thirty was the age at which the priests began their ministry. Jesus has now entered the office of High Priest. That must mean that there are other priests under Him. We are those priests. Each of them also has the Holy Spirit upon them for ministry. Each one is declared to be a son of God that He is pleased with.

God's Word for us This Year.

God's Word for us This Year. 2016 is going to be a year of celebration for everyone in FCF. A year of overcoming and winning. Walking through obstacles, previously insurmountable. Living as though sin has no dominion over us. Living as though peace and joy are the everyday norm. No longer shackled to the past. We are free to celebrate our liberty and to set other people free. Being people of faith - we celebrate this year at the beginning.

Jesus of Nazareth

Jesus of Nazareth So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. (Luke 2:39-40) After they had preformed the sacrifices and heard from Simeon and Anna, they went to Nazareth. The Census was now over and people went back home. Which is why He is called Jesus of Nazareth. It was where He was brought up. Now with Him as our example, we too are to become: Strong in Spirit. Filled with wisdom. With God's grace upon us.

Think You are Too Old to be Used by God?

Think You are Too Old to be Used by God? Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38) Anna had spent most of her life in the Temple, day and night. But today was led to arrive in the Temple at the moment Jesus did. She spent a lot of her time with God, preparing fo this moment. So when it happened she knew what to say. How much time do we spend preparing for what is next? How old was Anna? Married at minimum of 13 years old for 7 years, widowed for 84, Anna is a least 104. Don't tell me you are too old to be used by God.

Simeon Prophesies over Mary

Simeon Prophesies over Mary Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke2:34-35) Simeon then spoke about how Jesus will be received by people. He will be responsible for the fall and rise of many. He will also be a sign that is spoken against - It's still the same. These words are also valid for believers who truly follow Him. People will rise up as believers, or fall away into their own sin. They will speak against you too. But that is okay. Mary herself would feel pierced, at the day of Crucifixion. That day, the thoughts of people's hearts would be revealed. The Cross still stands in history as the greatest challenge to man.

Simeon Prophesies over Jesus

Simeon Prophesies over Jesus For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel. And Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of Him. (Luke 2:30-33) Jesus is to be the light of the world. It was one thing to be told almost a year ago that you are having a baby, but to hear a complete stranger say these things about your baby, amazing.