HAS GOD CHANGED?

Written by Allison Sylvester-Conliffe

In the dispensation of God the Father as He appeared in the days of the Old Testament, we learn of His very Nature and Character as God!  As we read the Scriptures, we see a terribly awesome God who desired reverence!  This is documented as He appeared to Moses in the burning bush.

Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5

As God spoke with Moses, while introducing Himself as Father, the Scripture said that Moses was afraid to look upon Him.  Such describes the magnitude and power of God’s Presence! After seeing the Hand of God as He overthrew Israel’s enemies, Moses was compelled to exclaim… 

“Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11 

God fights for His people – He is the ultimate Deliverer!  He is the ultimate Defender of His people … the people who are called by His Name!  This is God’s personality – His attribute!  He wants Christians to love, and He is the One who vindicates us when persons wrong us. Moses discovered and declared –

The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.  Exodus 15:3

Moses experienced the God Who won battles for him and as he saw God protect the Israelites from the evils that came up against them, he exclaimed –

“Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power;Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces.And in the greatness of Your excellence. You have overthrown those who rose against You;You sent forth Your wrath;It consumed them like stubble. Exodus 15:6-7

God did not fight for the Israelites in Moses’ day alone, but as we read the Bible we see God fighting for His people through King David, through Joshua, through Jehoshaphat, through all those who He had appointed to lead them and who did so in the fear of God.

You may wonder why would God only fight for the Israelites?  This is because those were His chosen people.  He made the earth and all that it consists and He chooses His creation to will and to do according to His pleasure.

…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Phillipians 2:13

So He chose Israel to be His people.

Whether they may or may not have known it, this mantle of being God’s chosen came with an awesome responsibility on Israel’s part.  God laid down some guidelines for Israel to follow.  These guidelines have been documented in the Holy Bible so that the generations that would follow would be in the know. 

God’s law stands for eternity.  He remembers His promises to His people and is Faithful to perform them.  If God’s chosen remain faithful to His Word then the benefit of the blessings will be theirs. On the flip side, God is also faithful to His Word if His chosen are unfaithful in doing what He says!

Read His promises to the Israelites in the Book of Deuteronomy chapter 28.  In short, God promised that if they kept His Word, meaning if they obeyed His Word, His blessings will follow them and even overtake them.  However, as you read on in that same chapter, you would discover that God also promised that if they disobeyed His Word, they will fall under some heavy curses. This law stands active for eternity.

He reminded Joshua as he walked in Moses’ stead –

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:7-8

Should Joshua choose to do differently to what God had commanded, it stands to reason that his way would not have been prosperous and that he would not have good success.

God has a responsibility over His people to protect them and to nurture them but it does not stop there. His people also have a responsibility towards Him – to be obedient to His Word, observing to do it!

Jesus came as God’s Word, being God Himself, with a mandate to graft into the Kingdom of God people like us who are not Israelites. He came to perfect the law and to show us the way back to the Father after the Fall of Adam and Eve! Jesus is the Word of God.  Those of us who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour have automatically become a chosen people just like Israel is to God!  We now have the responsibility, as Israel has, to know or to observe God’s Word and to do it!  What we choose to do will determine whether we reap the blessings or the curses.

In the nation where I live, there is an outrageous spike in crime.  Murders occur on a daily basis. There are also strange deaths as well as gruesome carnage on the roadways, misbehavior in public office, the likes of which was never so evident in the society.  Multiplicity of prayers are continuously being prayed on behalf of the nation, but it seems that there is no end to violence.

This is not isolated to my nation, but across the nations of the world there is violence, unrest, murder suicides of different family members – in some cases entire families are killed by a family member in possession of a gun.  Believers in Christ may be very tempted to ask the question, “Where is the God of the Bible in the midst of this chaos?” 

My question is … Has God Changed?  Does this Great and Magnificent God still require for His people to live according to His Word?  Or does He require us to live by bread alone?  Does He require us to live by our rights, whatever right that is?

Jesus pronounced to believers –

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

Are we walking in obedience to that Word so that we can reap the blessings of God?  Or are we rather

living in a manner so as to reap the curses that God promised?  Are we loving one another as God commanded?  Not by loving in the manner that WE believe love should be – but are we loving as God says that we should love one another?  Do we love our enemies enough to be praying for them as He has instructed?

Read the Book of Matthew Chapter 5 and then Romans Chapter 12 and finally 1 Corinthians 13 in order to get an idea as how God commands us to love.  If we are faithful to do as the Scriptures say, then do you think that we will be cursed or will we be blessed?  From what we can see in our nations in this day, are we being blessed of God or cursed?  We cannot be partakers of evil and expect God to bless us!  Also, we must not join with partakers of evil, because they are our friends, or because we can achieve some gain, and expect to be blessed.

I notice that many nations around the world are passing laws which God calls blatant abominations in His sight!  He destroyed two cities because of those same practices.  Is God expected to bless what He does not condone?  In the Book of Numbers Chapter 26 the same God that fought for Israel caused the earth to open up and swallow some Israelites (His chosen people) together with all of their families as well as all their possessions, simply because of their disobedience to His Word!  Has God changed?  I still hear of what we now call sink holes appearing in diverse places today!  What could this mean?

God has promised that if we repent AND turn our faces from evil, He will forgive us our sins and heal our land.  Let us observe to do the Word of God so that we will have good success and bring glory to His Name.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

HE IS THE FIRST AND LAST

I’m not sure who wrote this poem, but it expresses my sentiments exactly

He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the Universe and the Manager of times.
He always was, He always is, and He will always be
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never undone!

 
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!

 
The world can’t understand Him,
The armies can’t defeat Him,
The schools can’t explain Him, 

Hitler couldn’t silence Him
The New Age can’t replace Him, 

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.

 
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.

 
He is my Savior! He is my Joy,
He is my guide, and He is my Peace!
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

 
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
The power of the powerful.
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, 

the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. 

 
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me, Nor forsake me,
Never mislead me, Never forget me,
Never overlook me 

and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book.

 
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me home!

 
He is everything 

for everybody, 

everywhere, 

every time, 

and every way.

 
He is God, He is faithful, 

I am His and He is mine!

COMMON SENSE OR UNCOMMON WISDOM

The dictionary definition of common sense is “sound practical judgment; normal native intelligence.” How, then, does common sense fit in to the Kingdom of God? The answer – it doesn’t. Just about everything that the world accepts as normal is abnormal for the Kingdom.

By its very definition common sense does not require that you exercise faith in God. But in order to walk in obedience to God’s ways we must abandon much of what the majority would deem to be common sense – not in favor of abject foolishness, but rather in pursuit and apprehension of those things that lie beyond what common sense can afford us.

Creation is groaning more and more loudly for the manifestation of the sons of God. We ourselves groan inwardly. We desire to be what we were originally created to be – the image of God on the earth. The reality is that God doesn’t use common sense. It is by Wisdom that He formed the earth, and it is by Wisdom that He governs the universe.

The world’s definition of wisdom is “the ability to judge what is right; common sense; the sum of learning through the ages; knowledge.” Many, therefore, see wisdom as a kind of common sense – maybe just at a higher level.

God’s Wisdom supersedes common sense as well as what the world calls “wisdom”. True Wisdom is supernatural intelligence. Wisdom is the ability to tap into the mind and heart of God, and to move in cadence with Him – to know beyond what your ‘common senses’ – sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing – tell you.

In fact, sometimes Wisdom just does not make sense! The Wisdom of God is foolishness to men because it overrides the five natural senses and man’s intellectual capacity to reason rationally.

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? 

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 

 1 Corinthians 1:20

The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. 

1 Corinthians 3:19a

WISDOM’S WAYS

• Wisdom advises that in order to save your life you first have to lose it.
• Wisdom teaches that the way to lead is to first follow, and that the way to greatness is through servanthood.
• Wisdom declares that you must love those who hate you.
• Wisdom admonishes you to have faith in God (have the faith of God) Whom you cannot see when you’re tempted to worry about the things you can.
• Wisdom sends you into a battle that’s already been waged, to fight a fight that has already been won, so you could experience the thrill of victory.
• Wisdom promised an elderly man that he would become the father of many nations. Wisdom waited until he and his wife were past child bearing age before delivering the promise.This man was Abraham.
• Wisdom placed a Hebrew baby in a fragile basket on a crocodile infested Egyptian river. Wisdom caused him to be rescued and raised in the presence of the very same enemy, Pharaoh, who had tried to kill him. Then Wisdom caused him to confront the enemy and free his people. This Hebrew was Moses.
• Wisdom sent the King of kings into the world as a baby, born without pomp or ceremony on the outskirts of town in a cave. Wisdom caused men to put Him to death on a cross so that He could give these same men eternal life. His name is Jesus.

The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. – 1 Corinthians 1:25

God is requiring that His true sons abandon what the world calls common sense and tap into the Wisdom that only He provides. It is a bold step of faith, because some of the things that He will require of us will make no sense to onlookers, and may even cause us to be ridiculed.

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.” – 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.

Are you willing to make the sacrifice and be a “fool” for God?

ARE YOU READY?

 Thanks to Allison Sylvester-Conliffe

for another powerful article

Many of us who have been born again can testify of the excitement at the onset.  We go through what we term the “mountain top” experience.  Everything looks new and fresh to us.  We are happy beings at that time, and nothing and no-one can interfere with that joy that we feel.  We are excited to go to the House of God to worship Him, to learn of Him and of His Kingdom, and come into true relationship with God.  Is all this learning and experience to be kept to ourselves?  Are we to bask in this knowledge of God and in the relationship that stems from it all by ourselves?

The great call on our lives after Salvation and as we follow Christ, is to share the Good News of the Gospel with others in our sphere of influence.  We are disciples as we follow Christ and we are called to make disciples.  Jesus told that to His first disciples.

But…I’m not ready!

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. Mark 1:17

However, there is something in us, which causes us to believe that we are not ready!  We get convinced that this call is for the elders of the church and for the Pastors themselves to pursue – that’s not for me!  What qualifies a believer as being “ready” to share the Gospel with another?  When Jesus sent out the first Twelve, were they “ready”?  As I examine the Word of God, I see those disciples as “green”, afraid and faithless men, but interestingly Jesus called them to go out.  Even in their apparent disabilities, Jesus used them to heal the sick and deliver the oppressed. 

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. Luke 9:1-6

When we look at Luke 9:12-17 we see Jesus teaching his first disciples, and us by extension, a great lesson.

 

And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

He taught that the very thing that we possess, when shared, has the ability to multiply itself to reach great proportions more than our minds have the capacity to understand.  If we look at the five loaves and the two fishes that were available, against the multitude who were waiting to be fed, it would seem impossible in the natural scheme of things to feed so many with so little.  Jesus, however, did it and had twelve basketsful in excess. 

Similarly, as our spirits connect with the Holy Spirit of God as He downloads into us, truths and revelation of His Word even as shared from the pulpit, we are expected to share, one on one with others in our sphere of influence.  The sharing of that Word may be to a small audience, but with the Spirit of God in it, if each one tells one, that Word has the capacity to feed many by just our one sharing!

In Luke chapter nine, we see the disciples admonishing Jesus to send the multitude away so that they could get some food since they were all in a desert place.  No food!  Yet Jesus told the disciples to feed them.  But Jesus, there is no food here!  Jesus was obviously talking to the disciples from a spiritual standpoint, but the disciples were listening to Him with the natural ear so they sought out the loaves and the fish.  “Feed them” in this instance may have meant – “teach them”! 

Let us not look at the things of God with the natural eye – nor listen to Him with the natural ear.  We are called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who are lost.  We are also called to love them into the Kingdom of God. Let us therefore go forth in the boldness of the Holy Ghost and make disciples with the resources that we have already attained.  The Word is in you!

AS THE WORD GOES FORTH

 Thanks to my dear friend Allison Sylvester-Conliffe 
for contributing this powerful article.

The Word of God is designed to create life.  

Genesis 1:3

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

The Word of God brings life to everything that is dead.  In the Old Testament the Prophet Ezekiel spoke to dry bones, according to the Word of God, and these bones came together and formed an army.  The Word of God, in itself, is alive.  Fresh revelation emanates from any verse of Scripture at the different times that it is pondered.

The Word is a shield and a weapon against the enemy.  It refutes and destroys every lie of the devil.  Jesus showed us how it is done when the devil tempted Him in the wilderness after His 40-day fast.  The Word of God is truth, whereby, as the Word is spoken every error and lie is exposed.

Jesus Christ is the Word that was made flesh.  He came to earth as the Word to reconcile us to God as we follow Him.  The Word was designed that way. It gives instruction; it points us to life according to God’s law.

The Word tells us that even if our father and our mother forsake us, the Lord will take us up – Psalm 27:10.  The Word of God brings deliverance.  The Word of God is the answer to all questions concerning life and the life that is more abundant.

The Word of God is the source of peace.  One Word from God is able to bring peace to any troubling and stressful situation.  We are commanded through God’s Word to “Be still and know that He is God”. What an assurance and a comfort!

I remember when we first moved into our new home in February 2002.  

My husband and I were convinced that the Lord provided that dwelling for us, since it was amazing the way that we got it … without much money in our pockets.  

A couple of months down the road, we experienced really bad weather and the river at the end of our street overflowed into the lower part of the street, and was creeping up the street towards our home.  The river rushed through about three or four houses.  

The raging waters burst through the glass doors and destroyed all the contents of the lower floors including refrigerators and stoves and deposited loads of silt and debris into the homes.  

Our home was untouched, praise God, but because of the level of destruction, my husband and I were really troubled and wondered if we had missed God.  Then, as my husband consulted with the Lord, Psalm 46 rested on his heart.

 1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
 2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
 3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
 4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
 5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

I could not believe the accuracy of this Word!  That settled it for us and even when there was another similar occurrence, we were at peace concerning our home only because we got a Word from God.

The Word of God also comes as a sword.  It pierces the hearts of men and brings conviction of sin unto salvation.  The Word says that when it goes forth, it is likely to bring variance with man and his relatives.

Matthew 10:35-36
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

The Word causes this variance when it falls upon hearts that are not receptive to the truth that is in the Word.  The truth of the Word exposes men’s hearts when these hearts are full of bitterness and hatred.  The very Word of God was crucified because His mission was about exposing truth – the truth of the Kingdom of God.  I realize that the Word is still being crucified today, since one can speak and pray in any other name freely but never so when we speak and pray in the Name of Jesus.  We can read or teach on any hellish book and never be crucified or condemned for doing so – except for when we attempt to read or to teach from the Holy Bible.

As the Word went forth through the disciples of Jesus, there were multitudes who believed and became disciples themselves, but in the midst of these converts were those who opposed the very Word, and moved to spew lies and to fabricate all sorts of stories to prevent others from readily accepting this Word of Life.  

Acts 13:49-50
And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.  

As the Word goes forth it truly exposes the intents of the heart. See Hebrews 4:12b

Noah also received a Word from God to build an Ark and to fill it with his family and with pairs of each animal kind because He, God, would be sending a flood.  The people scoffed and laughed at that Word from God, because they could not relate to it.  God said to us in His Word that in the last days, it will be as in the days of Noah.

2 Peter 3:3-4 
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

I am certain that believers who are now reading this would testify to the fact that many we have witnessed to do not take heed of the call to salvation, and they have scoffed and criticized that very Word of God.

John 3:3 

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

But we must not be daunted as believers but we should rather do what the Word says when we are faced with such ridicule. We ought to shake the dust from our feet and move on.

Matt 10:14 

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

I have realized through the very Word that though God loves everyone, all were not ordained to eternal life.

Acts 13:48

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

To those of you who are now reading this, and have not yet accepted the call of God to follow Jesus, I urge you to accept the Word of God as it is preached according to the Holy Book, the Bible.  The Word is truly the power of God unto salvation to them that believe.

Romans 1:16   

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

This Word carves the pathway for us to enter into to eternal life.  Without it, we will go to Hell, which by the way, is a real place of torment ….. for eternity.  I urge you not to resist what the Word says.  As the Word goes forth, listen to it and just believe it for what it says and then move to do it.  The Book of James 1:21-24 says that if we hear the Word and not do it we deceive our own selves.

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

Why not make a decision to adhere to the Word of God as it goes forth, and then prove God at His very Word as He begins the work of transformation in your life, and as He sets you on the pathway of eternal life in Christ Jesus.

A MOST POWERFUL TESTIMONY!!

This video is evidence that God has a perfect plan for each of us. Watch the amazing testimony of Christopher Coleman.

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/6ERwwrK3I_I?rel=0

AS A LITTLE CHILD

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2,3

What does it mean to be converted?

• To change from one state to another
• Conversion comes when you change in the way you think, speak and behave

In order to be converted you have to know the characteristics of a little child. Here are just a few.
A little child...

• Loves unconditionally. He is not prejudiced. He loves just because
• Receives true love readily without suspicion
• Is innocent and defenseless
• Forgives readily and doesn’t hold grudges
• Is excited about life and has uninhibited joy
• Lives in the now. He is not concerned about what happened in the past, or what might happen in the future
• Finds his identity in his parent
• Has a pure heart with no ulterior motives
• Prays and worships from a pure heart
• Believes in the impossible

Jesus never asks us to do something that He Himself wouldn’t do.
He had the heart of a little child.

Notice that Jesus was talking to the disciples who were already saved. They believed that He was the Messiah. Yet He told them that they had to be converted. It is possible to be saved, yet not converted. That is why Jesus told Peter, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:31,32

Heaven is filled with saints who have the heart of a child. The Father hears our heart and not just our words.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Hebrews 11:4

• God heard and saw in Abel’s heart: “Daddy! Look what I brought for You!”
• How do you bring your offerings to the Father?

  
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5

• God heard and saw in Enoch’s heart: “Daddy, what You doing? Daddy, I wanna come with You. I love you Daddy.”

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Hebrews 11:7

• God heard Noah’s heart: “My Daddy said it’s going to rain, so I’m going to build this ark even though people mock me. I trust my Daddy.”

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:8

• God heard Abraham’s heart: “My Daddy’s taking me on a big adventure! We’re moving to a new place. He told me all about it and it sounds exciting!”

What can stop you from having the heart of a child?
Simply put…your own reasoning. Thinking too much, rationalizing and having your own agenda are all hindrances to having the true heart of a child.

The reality is…

• The more mature you become as a Christian, the more of a child’s heart you have to exhibit.
• Someone with the heart of a child may seem insignificant in the natural. But God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
• Those who have the heart of a child are the most powerful in the Kingdom, and the most feared by the enemy
• The heart of a child is pure. It is the pure in heart who will see God.

Do you have the heart of a little child?

GOD HEALED MY MARRIAGE – HIS STORY

I thank my dear friend George for sharing this powerful testimony.

As a non-believer I lived a reckless life of partying, alcoholism and adultery. I had no time for my family, and got into considerable debt to support my lifestyle. Banks and lending institutions would approach me and give me loans, so there was not a time that I didn’t have money.  I remember once spending $15,000.00 in two weeks and had nothing to show for it.  It was all spent on women and alcohol, and on me to have a good time.  This happened on two other occasions when I had $13,000.00 and then $10,000.00, and again I had nothing to show for it. 

I would constantly lie to my wife about my whereabouts and activities. That was easy to do because of the type of job that I had and the position that I was in.  I used to drink so much, that no matter what kind or brand of alcohol that I drank, it had no effect on me.  Somehow I could not get drunk or feel high anymore.  My peers would rate me as the “best drinker” they knew.

I had owned three cars, and with each, had a near death experience. On each occasion I knew it was God who had saved me, and I would say to myself that I needed to give Him more of my time, but that never happened. I just continued drinking all the more each day.

At that time I attended a traditional church, and on Sunday mornings after church I would go home and drink without having any breakfast or lunch. I would drink all by myself.  I would tell myself that something is wrong with this and I would ask God to help me.  I knew that something was wrong, but I was incapable of changing on my own accord.

One day in 2001 my twin brother invited me to a service at Trinidad Christian Center. I refused. Nevertheless, two weeks later I felt in my heart that I had to attend this church. It was as though an audible voice was compelling me to do so. During that second week I found myself lying to all my friends, when they called and invited me to go out with them. I turned them all down saying that I was busy, even though I did not quite understand what was happening to me.  I know now that it was God who was preparing me for His good pleasure.

I decided to go that Sunday and my wife was delighted. I, too, surprisingly, was excited to attend. I even returned the following week. During this service something happened inside of me.

I no longer had the desire to drink alcohol, and I was eager to hear the Word of God preached!

The next Sunday, as the Pastor of the church was delivering the Word I felt my stomach become tied up into knots, and before I knew it I was in tears even before the call for Salvation was made. When the call for salvation was made I somehow was locked into a place alone with Jesus, and felt my legs taking me towards the altar. I remember saying the “sinner’s prayer” as I gave my heart to the Lord. I was broken and in tears. It seemed to me that Jesus had reached His hand inside of me and uprooted every dirty and ungodly thing! I knew that He had cleansed and delivered me from my sins, and I thank God for my deliverance from alcohol addiction and adultery and every other sin.

Today I cannot even bear the smell of alcohol. I feel sick when I do. God has done a complete work – Hallelujah! I used to watch these things on television and always doubted the truth of it, but the Lord has allowed it to happen to me. Now I know that Jesus is real, and there is no one else like Him! I thank God for my dear Pastor and Apostle who led me in to these blessings.

Since then my entire life has been restored and God has since blessed me with a much better relationship with my wife and daughter, a new home, a new car and so much else.

Now my family and I pray together, have fun and enjoy a God-filled relationship that we had longed for.  There is also a peace and joy within me, and within our home that could only have come from Jesus!

Today I can only give praise and worship unto my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Only God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit could do what was done in my life.   

Praise the Lord!

To read his wife Allison’s story please click on this link: 

GOD HEALED MY MARRIAGE – HER STORY

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PART 6

ENTER THE HOLY PLACE

There are three portals in the Tabernacle of Moses. The first is the Gate – the only entrance into the enclosure. We have already discussed how beautifully the Gate portrays Jesus Himself. He is the only way in – the only way to the Father.

You have presented your body as a living sacrifice at the Brazen Altar. You have washed your hands and feet at the Brazen Laver, ridding yourself of the impurities and influences of the world. Now you stand before another portal – the door that separates the open-air Outer Court from the covered Tent of Meeting.

Note that only priests could enter through the Door of the Tabernacle and into the Holy Place – the first section of the Tent. The same is true today. It is a place reserved for those who have committed their lives to drawing ever closer to God by meeting with Him regularly and often, and by living a life of prayer, worship and service to Him and to others.

THE ENTRANCE

“You shall make a screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver. And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold; their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.” Exodus 26:36,37

This door, like the Gate, is another encounter with the Lord Jesus Himself. Whereas in the first encounter at the Gate, you experienced Him as Saviour, now you are about to interact with Him in a more intimate manner.

This new transition is seen even in the materials used in the pillars that hold up the screen of the Door. Notice that they are made of acacia and overlaid with gold, and that they sit in bronze sockets. You have seen acacia before in the Bronze Altar. It is that durable wood that reminds us of Jesus’ indestructible body which was scourged, pierced and flogged for you and me. You have also seen the bronze fence posts, Bronze Altar and Bronze Laver. Bronze represents judgment.

For the first time, however, you see a new metal – gold. Gold represents divinity. Not only is Jesus represented in the blue, scarlet and purple screen, but in the supporting pillars we also see Him – perfectly human (acacia) yet perfectly Divine (gold), and taking upon Himself the judgment (bronze) that was due us all. Once more you are reminded that in order to get close to the Father, you must come through the Son.

From this point on all the furniture you will encounter will be made of gold. No bronze is allowed in the Holy Place or beyond. You see, there is no such thing as pure bronze. Bronze is an alloy – a mixture of copper, tin and other trace metals. As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual. There can be no mixture in you as you enter the inner enclosure of your spiritual Holy Place. Do you see why it was important to wash first at the Brazen Laver?

As you look around you notice that the Holy Place is encased by several coverings. Let us examine them.

LINEN

The innermost coverings are linen curtains interwoven with cherubim. Linen represents rest. You may remember that the first time cherubim were mentioned in Scripture was in Genesis 3:23, 24.

“…therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Cherubim are guardians. They kept Adam and Eve from returning to the idyllic Garden of Eden where they had enjoyed sweet intimate fellowship with the Lord. I believe that these cherubim, being on the inside of the Holy Place where you are, symbolize how God wants you to guard the treasures that you receive in your spirit during your communion with Him; treasures that enable you to come into a deeper state of rest in Him.

GOATS’ HAIR

“You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair, to be a tent over the tabernacle.” Exodus 26:7

In Moses’ day the goat was a sacrificial animal, used on the Day of Atonement. The High Priest would lay his hands on the goat’s head, after which it was led away out of the camp and into the wilderness. This scapegoat signified God’s taking away the sins of the Israelites. What a wonderful symbol of Jesus who is our Sacrificial Scapegoat!

RAM’S SKINS

“You shall also make a covering of ram skins dyed red for the tent, and a covering of badger skins above that.” Exodus 26:14

The ram reminds us of a substitute sacrifice. After Abraham willingly took Isaac up to the mountain to sacrifice him as God ordered, the Lord provided Himself a ram caught in the thicket.

The red ram skins are a reminder that Jesus’ Blood was the Perfect Substitute given in sacrifice for our sin.

BADGER SKINS

Badger skins are tough and coarse, shielding the precious items in the Tabernacle from the onslaught of rain, wind and sand. Jesus is our Covering, shielding us from the onslaught of the enemy.

These badger skins were also unattractive. Again we see a picture of our Saviour whom Isaiah describes this way…
“He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” Isaiah 53:2

Jesus commands you to come often to this secret place, The Holy Place, in Him – away from the noise and clatter of daily routine. It is here in this glorious seclusion that He meets with you and imparts His precious treasures into you.

Don’t rush. Stay a while, and walk with me to the first piece of furniture in the Holy Place – the Golden Lampstand.

….to be continued.

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PART 5

 THE BRAZEN LAVER

Before a priest could enter the Holy Place from the Outer Court, he had to wash at the Brazen Laver. It was a requirement of God that could not be overlooked. He had to remove any defilement before going before the Holy God.

The Laver was made of bronze mirrors donated by women, and was filled with water. It stood between the Brazen Altar and the Holy Place.

Blood was shed at the Brazen Altar symbolizing the sacrifice of a life through death. Water was the focus at the Laver, symbolizing the giving of life through cleansing.

At his initial consecration the priest was washed all over his body at the Laver. This was a type of baptism. After that he had to wash himself – his hands and feet – before entering and after leaving the service to the Lord in the Holy Place. The priest was able to see his reflection both in the water and in the bronze mirrors that made up the Laver. A priest who did not wash before entering the Holy Place, or upon exiting it was considered to be ceremonially unclean, and therefore unfit for service and worship to the Lord.

This is a reminder to us that, after presenting our bodies as living sacrifices (the Brazen Altar experience), we must wash ourselves before entering into intimate communion with, or service to the Lord. How do we do that washing today, since there are no more Brazen Lavers for ceremonial washing? Jesus gives us the answer.

In response to the woman at the well, He said that He had living water that would cause her never to thirst again. This was not physical water to quench natural thirst, but rather the spiritual water of the Word of God that would revive and sustain her. (John 4:1-13)

In John 15:3 Jesus tells His disciples, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”

Paul admonishes husbands to, “love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word…”

It is clear, then, that our “Brazen Laver” today is the Word of God. Just as the priests were able to see their reflections when they washed at their Laver, we too can see ourselves when we look with honest hearts into the Word. It shows us who we are, and what defilement needs to be removed.

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you, through the Word…

• an attitude that needs to be corrected – is there pride, selfishness, jealousy, unforgiveness
• a sin that you have become desensitized to
• any worldly values that have infiltrated your lifestyle

The priests of Moses’ day had to wash their hands and feet. This was a foreshadowing of what we are to do today. Our hands represent what we do – our work, our service, our assignments. Our feet represent our daily walk – our mindsets, ways, lifestyles.

Today God is too often approached with casual familiarity and taken for granted. Too many believers have adopted an air of entitlement, thinking that because they do x, y or z God must reciprocate. The Sovereignty, Majesty and Holiness of Almighty God has, to a large extent, been excommunicated from the church, and replaced by “God, our good Buddy”. God has been brought down to man’s level, rather than man aspiring to come up to His.

More than ever before, we must look at the Brazen Laver as it relates to us. Although Jesus’ sacrificial death paid the price for our sin, we must still be cleansed daily from its influence. We must ask the Lord to show us, through His Word, what mindsets, attitudes, habits etc need to be removed. Without it we would be in danger of coming before the Holy God with unwashed “hands” and “feet” – defiled priests.

Have you been meeting God’s requirement to wash daily at The “Brazen Laver”?

But as the One Who called you is holy, 

you yourselves also be holy 

in all your conduct and manner of living. 

For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. 

1 Peter 1: 15-16

to be continued…