PRAYER

WHAT IS PRAYER?

In Philippians 4:6 it says, Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and

supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.

Basically prayer is simply talking to God just like you would talk to your very best friend. God made us all unique and wants our love. He is our Father and loves us very much. Talk to Him, tell Him you love Him and thank Him for the blessings you do have. Prayer's purpose is to assist us in building our relationship with God. There is incredible power in prayer. Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Wise words of Life and Love

The following pieces are not from scripture and please do not regard it as such. It only gives us some insight into some aspects of Love and Life, as described by a very wise man, and has meant a lot to me in my life.

It is taken from 'The Prophet' by Kahlil Gibran.

Spirit versus Emotion

Yesterday my daughter showed me how she progressed with her guitar lessons, and sang a song while playing the guitar - a song which they sing in church during Holy Communion. During the song she suddenly started to cry and asked me - can you not feel the presence of the Holy Spirit - which I could not at that stage. I just told her to let go and let God have His way, but then she did what all of us do - suppress the spirit and composed herself.

It reminded me of my own early experience with the Holy Spirit.

Religion versus Spirituality

There is a new kid on the block (or is it on the blog) called Spirituality, and I wonder whether 99% of the people who go for this new gimmick, really know what it is and what they are letting themselves in for. It is quite nice and hip and cool and fashionable these days, when you are not religious, to at least say or admit that you are spiritual. It is even more hip to state that you are trying to come into contact with your spiritual side, much the same as people get into contact with their sensual side.

Why read the Bible?

Because it’s message is true and timeless:

All men are like wild grass and all their glory is like it’s flower. The grass dies, it’s flower falls off, but the Word of the Lord remains forever. 1 Peter 1:24-25

The Words of the Lord are true and all His works are dependable. Psalm 33:4

Because it is God’s inspired Word:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults and giving instruction for right living. 2 Tim 3:16

You will do well by paying attention to it, because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts. For no prophetic message ever came just from the will of man, but men were carried along by the Holy Spirit as they spoke the message that came from God. 2 Peter 1:19-21

The Blood of Jesus Christ

The phrase "blood of Christ" refers to the Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Blood represents judgment - the judgment for our sins while Christ was bearing them on the Cross (His spiritual death). The physical death of the animal in the Old Testament sacrifices is analogous to the spiritual death of Christ.

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." 1 Pet. 2:24

Baptism in water

It is the identification with the Death and Resurrection of Christ . Baptism was ordained to have a unifying effect on members of the body of Christ. Baptism should not be an empty ritual – an outward act carried over from past traditions. Baptism should carry meaning and have a positive effect upon the believer. “Being Born Again” is only the beginning of the life in Christ.

The words themselves imply a beginning – and growth! Salvation is a process the believer now launched upon. This is the salvation process – being rooted out of this evil world and moved on toward completeness in Christ.

Adult Sunday School #6: The Law

The Law 

We find ourselves in the beginning of the world. Adam and Eve, who knew God personally, may have died already. What do we find? Violence, revenge, war, aggression - and people in bondage, even slavery. And this despite God's will that we be kind to each other and enjoy His creation.

How did this transpire then? It is because we could sin with impunity. There was no law. God wanted us to be free and not subject to any laws other than the one forbidding us to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil.

Are you well equipped?

We suggest that you equip yourself when you become a Christian. Knowledge is of utmost importance when trying to get through the daily hurdles of your new life in Christ. There will be times you fail and times you triumph, but ultimately you will grow and become stronger.

Here are a few suggestions:-

To Tithe or not to Tithe...

That is the question. 

Unfortunately the fate of many tithings...

2 Cor 9:6-9 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion,for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:"They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

I get very upset with these modern churches which run on the basis of making money, instead of doing God's work. They are stinking rich in a poverty stricken community, yet will not do anything about it.

Purify

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

Psalm 101: The 9 House Rules to live by

Psalm 101 - Of David. A psalm.

 ¹ I will sing of your love and justice; 

   to you, LORD, I will sing praise.

² I will be careful to lead a blameless life—

   when will you come to me?

   I will conduct the affairs of my house

   with a blameless heart.

³ I will not look with approval

   on anything that is vile.

To be Obedient

1 Samuel 15:22 “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed, better than the fat of rams.” Here we see how upset Samuel was that Saul took matters into his own hands and not follow the right protocol, by choosing to not be obedient to God. This was the beginning of his fall. Had he had respect for God and their traditions and obeyed it, he would have been blessed.

Do you have a life verse?

Why should I have one?

Do you have a verse you can recall when you feel discouraged or angry? A verse that can comfort and calm you. A verse that can encourage you to stop looking at the current problem and look at the bigger picture? When God was tempted, what did he do? He quoted scripture! Matthew 4. Shouldn’t you do that too when you feel you can’t carry on anymore? That is why it is so important to know your Bible.

Today when you get discouraged, why not quote a Scripture from the Bible?

Baptism in Water

It is the identification with the Death and Resurrection of Christ . Baptism was ordained to have a unifying effect on members of the body of Christ. Baptism should not be an empty ritual – an outward act carried over from past traditions. 

Baptism should carry meaning and have a positive effect upon the believer. “Being Born Again” is only the beginning of the life in Christ. The words themselves imply a beginning – and growth! Salvation is a process the believer now launched upon. This is the salvation process – being rooted out of this evil world and moved on toward completeness in Christ.

the Blood of Jesus Christ

The phrase "blood of Christ" refers to the Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Blood represents judgment - the judgment for our sins while Christ was bearing them on the Cross (His spiritual death). The physical death of the animal in the Old Testament sacrifices is analogous to the spiritual death of Christ. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." 1 Pet. 2:24

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Cor. 5:21

Fasting

WHAT IS A FAST?

Fasting is part of the Christian faith life. In a fast, one chooses for a set time to do without something that is hard to do without, in order to focus on spiritual growth. It refers to the denial of the needs of the flesh in order to enhance our spirit and get closer to God. Fasting should also increase the power of prayer manifold. By us putting even our most basic urges and needs into a lower priority than the task at hand, we can put our whole selves into it.