Hi all, just introducing myself, I'm Michele Ria's friend from Trinidad, one of the new contributors. Blessings to you all.
Just some meat to chew on, I was reading 1Cor.9: 24-27. The NKJV says: "do you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it,(v.24). Now I love the NKJV, but the NLT brings out those verse in a whole new way. Same verse "Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.(v.25) All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. "Strict self-control", this really had me thinking especially about my walk with Christ, do i practice "strict self-control"? Not always, in fact i fail at this a lot. Sometimes as believers we forget at times that we are called to be self disciplined, it takes discipline to serve Christ, read his word, pray, witness, be faithful to your local church and each other. We get distracted and just like in a race, you can fall, hurt yourself, become tired, give up. I like the next verse: (v.26) So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. Wow, to be an athlete it takes real commitment and purpose. So it is with us, I must have purpose in every step, how many of us when we're in a situation, forget our purpose, who we are in Christ, it happens to the best of us, yet we must press on. We can't miss just like the scripture says, in fact it's a declaration, "I'm not like the boxer who misses his punches, I will not miss, I shall not. Last verse; (v.27) I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. This verse just seals everything for me. Paul knew his back ground where he come from the things he did, so he was not just speaking to the Corinthians, but also to himself, as am I. The whole reason he used a runner or athlete as an example was to show the seriousness of our walk with Christ, it's not a game, we have to be examples of the faith, how can I preach Christ and not live Christ, this disqualifies me, and as in a race, just as in our Christian Faith, if we do not walk uprightly we will become disqualified. I don't want to be, how about you, I want to win and obtain the prize. So lets obtain that prize. Till next time, Blessings.
Sunday 16 August 2009
Thursday 13 August 2009
Psalm 91
Morning All,
I was reading Psalm 91 this morning and verse 3 struck me in a new way:
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. (NIV)
The Message version reads:
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards.
This made me think about how many traps and hazards can be in our mind. For example, we do something that doesn't bring the desired outcome and we call ourselves stupid (I did this yesterday!), but then if we don't nip the thought in the bud, the thought grows until it becomes a stronghold which is then a strong part of our mindset and will form the basis through which we perceive everything.
Going back to this verse I simply want to encourage us with the verses that come before:
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
Resting in His presence is something that can be practised. This can be cultivated by reading the Bible (where you will also get a true reflection of who you are in Christ) and spedning time in worship and simply focusing your thoughts on Him. When our mind is focused on him we're less likely to entertain thoughts that keep us trapped.
This can be done while we're on the go and as part of our day but it can be really special to set time aside and intentionally rest in His presence.
Maybe it's something we all do and feedback to each other the next time we meet??
Have a great day!
Love me.xx
I was reading Psalm 91 this morning and verse 3 struck me in a new way:
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. (NIV)
The Message version reads:
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards.
This made me think about how many traps and hazards can be in our mind. For example, we do something that doesn't bring the desired outcome and we call ourselves stupid (I did this yesterday!), but then if we don't nip the thought in the bud, the thought grows until it becomes a stronghold which is then a strong part of our mindset and will form the basis through which we perceive everything.
Going back to this verse I simply want to encourage us with the verses that come before:
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
Resting in His presence is something that can be practised. This can be cultivated by reading the Bible (where you will also get a true reflection of who you are in Christ) and spedning time in worship and simply focusing your thoughts on Him. When our mind is focused on him we're less likely to entertain thoughts that keep us trapped.
This can be done while we're on the go and as part of our day but it can be really special to set time aside and intentionally rest in His presence.
Maybe it's something we all do and feedback to each other the next time we meet??
Have a great day!
Love me.xx
Wednesday 5 August 2009
teaching night notes
Guys & Gals -
Hillsong's teaching night on Tuesday are just awesome.
Richard V. has been exploring the old testament, and how it relates to us today under the new covenant. It's been very insightful and I'd encourage you all to get the CDs/pod-casts and begin to attend once the sessions restart in September.
Here are Bret's notes from last Tuesday - awesome! Have a read, it's a bit long and these are Bret's personal notes, so feel free to post any questions/ comments, or get in touch with Bret to discuss some more.
Ria
What are Gods promises to us in Christ
God has given us all this through Jesus
Romans 7.14
Were not just saved from something (slavery to sin) We are
Passover
Jesus died as our Passover lamb
Crossing red sea and leaving Egypt under the water Baptism - identifying with Christ and leaving our past under the water
Law given at my Sinai
Jesus come to fulfill the law
Challenges in the wilderness which tested their trust of God Count it all joy when you face trials of various kinds - testing of your faith>perservrtance> mature and complete
It's our faith being tested not your ability
How long will it be to die to self? Before going to church isn't about you Relying in Gods promise
Joshua
Chapter
1. Joshua commissioning
2-5 entering the promise land
6-12
Chapter 1
Moses my servant is dead. Joshua you lead these people across the Jordan river into the promise land
As I was with Moses I will be with you
You will be prosperous and successful wherever you go Repeats three times be strong and courageous Dint let my word depart from you
Chapters 2-5
2 spies went in
Rehab the prostitute wanted to help Gods people Crossing the Jordan
12 stones
Circumcision
Passover - they celebrated the Passover
Commander of the army of the lord - incarnation of Jesus. They meet him just before the first battle
God showed the people he was with Joshua the same as he was with Moses
Jesus says in luke 14.28 count the cost
Chapters 6-12 conquering the land
FAll of Jericho 6.16 - principle of the first fruit. The first city belonged to God they were not to take anything from it
Defeated at Ai - someone took something of the first city achen didn't give of his tithe
Ai destroyed
Covenant renewed
Gibeonites deception - they can see God is with Joshuas people
Sun stands still - Joshua needed more time
Rest of the cities defeated
List of defeated kings
Chapters 13-22 dividing the land
Chapters 23-24 joshua's final sermon and death God will drive out the rest of the nations Don't turn to other Gods or you will perish from this good land As for me and my house we will serve the lord Joshua dies at 110 and buried in the promised land You have seen everything the lied your God has done. Not what they had done. It was the lord defeated them
Chapter 1 Joshua commissioning
Our commissioning
Mat 28.18-20
Jesus great commission
Jesus says I am with you always
I have been commissioned by God
2cor 5.16-6 and 6.2 Christ ambassadors - you luce according to the rules of where you come from - heaven. We represent Christ
Christs love compels us. He gave us the ministry of reconciliation. He is making his appeal through us
Chapter 2-5
Entering the promise land
2 spies sent in - count the cost luke 14.28. Know what your doing before you do it
12 stones as a memorial - David and Goliath 1 Sam 17 - the lord will hand you over to me. The whole world will know there is a God. He called on his memory of how God delivered him from the lions and the hears. What am I remembering that God has delivered me in my life?
Use the example of David and Goliath. The same God loves me as much as he loves David. We have the army of God behind us. God wants the whole world to know Jesus died for them
Circumcision - circumcision of the heart rom 2.29. God cuts away the old in our heart
Commander of the lords army - Jesus col 2.15.
Hebrews 3-4 - make every effort to enter into rest
Numbers 13& 14 - with God we can do it. God loves this atitude. That's the attitude that enters into the promise
Chapter 6-12 conquering the land
Fall of Jericho. The city was fortified God says see I have given it to you. It wad about living by faith not by sight. Am I looking at the fortified city or that God wil conquer
Let the first be devoted to God
Know we are living in Christ.
1john 4.4 am I looking at he that is in me or the world when I'm facing challenges. Christ is already in us so I am already am overcomer. I says you have overcome not you will
1john5.4-5 the victory is ours already. The circumstance is there but tge faith is that God has delivered you by putting Jesus inside us
I am not a conquerer because Jesus is inside me
Rom 8.37. We ARE not we will be
2cor2.14.
Live as you are in Christ
Spiritual Warfare
1cor 9.26-27
fight against your flesh not the devil
I tim 1.18
Hold on to the faith and a good conscience - no condemnation because of what Jesus did
1tim 6.12
Good fight of the faith. People trying to lead people away. You need to do this and that but the faith is Jesus died to give right standing with God
Gal 3 Jesus has done it all for us
2tim4.7
Wherever it talks about fighting it's about the faith that Jesus has done it all for us. The truth of the gospel
2cor10.3-5
It's about what we know about God. Keep it simple and know that God has saved us through Jesus Thought > high thing > argument > stronghold. Johnny has believed it for long enough Take it to Christ obedients not mine Knowledge of God - he's a god of lice mercy and grace he's a giving God. He gave us Jesus. Think about the obedience of Christ not my obedience
1pet 2.11
Rom 7.23
The war is about the faith that what Jesus did was enough
2pet5.6
Humble yourself by trusting in God. Resisting by standing firm in the faith that what Jesus did was enough
Col 2.15 when we were dead in our sin, God made you alive with Christ.
He forgave me. He has disarmed the powers so declare that to them. The devil is s toothless lion. I have to this to be right with God
2cor11.3-4
1pet5.6-9
Col 2.15
Eph 6.11
2cor2.10-11
It's simple just see that Jesus died to make us right with God - there is nothing we need to do. Fight if anything comes against that
Eph 6.10-17
Truth John 1.17, John 14.6
Righteousness Ron 3.22 breastplate guards your heart Gospel of peace rom 6.1-5 Faith - belief in Jesus Christ that he died for us and that's enough Salvation eph 2.8-9 I know that I'm saved it's been given to me by grace Word of God
Heb 3&4
The rest is about what God does not what we do
It's about your heart and mind and relying on the truth that Jesus died for our sin. That there is nothing more we need to
Chapters - Divinding the land
We are the body of Christ
Hillsong's teaching night on Tuesday are just awesome.
Richard V. has been exploring the old testament, and how it relates to us today under the new covenant. It's been very insightful and I'd encourage you all to get the CDs/pod-casts and begin to attend once the sessions restart in September.
Here are Bret's notes from last Tuesday - awesome! Have a read, it's a bit long and these are Bret's personal notes, so feel free to post any questions/ comments, or get in touch with Bret to discuss some more.
Ria
What are Gods promises to us in Christ
- Salvation
- Abundant life
- Peace
- Joy
- Hope
- Favour
- Mercy
- Eternal life
- Freedom
- Blessings
God has given us all this through Jesus
Romans 7.14
- Slavery to sin
- I do what I don't want to do
- But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our lord
Were not just saved from something (slavery to sin) We are
- Slaves to the Egyptians
- Slaves to sin
Passover
Jesus died as our Passover lamb
Crossing red sea and leaving Egypt under the water Baptism - identifying with Christ and leaving our past under the water
Law given at my Sinai
Jesus come to fulfill the law
Challenges in the wilderness which tested their trust of God Count it all joy when you face trials of various kinds - testing of your faith>perservrtance> mature and complete
It's our faith being tested not your ability
How long will it be to die to self? Before going to church isn't about you Relying in Gods promise
Joshua
Chapter
1. Joshua commissioning
2-5 entering the promise land
6-12
Chapter 1
Moses my servant is dead. Joshua you lead these people across the Jordan river into the promise land
As I was with Moses I will be with you
You will be prosperous and successful wherever you go Repeats three times be strong and courageous Dint let my word depart from you
Chapters 2-5
2 spies went in
Rehab the prostitute wanted to help Gods people Crossing the Jordan
12 stones
Circumcision
Passover - they celebrated the Passover
Commander of the army of the lord - incarnation of Jesus. They meet him just before the first battle
God showed the people he was with Joshua the same as he was with Moses
Jesus says in luke 14.28 count the cost
Chapters 6-12 conquering the land
FAll of Jericho 6.16 - principle of the first fruit. The first city belonged to God they were not to take anything from it
Defeated at Ai - someone took something of the first city achen didn't give of his tithe
Ai destroyed
Covenant renewed
Gibeonites deception - they can see God is with Joshuas people
Sun stands still - Joshua needed more time
Rest of the cities defeated
List of defeated kings
Chapters 13-22 dividing the land
Chapters 23-24 joshua's final sermon and death God will drive out the rest of the nations Don't turn to other Gods or you will perish from this good land As for me and my house we will serve the lord Joshua dies at 110 and buried in the promised land You have seen everything the lied your God has done. Not what they had done. It was the lord defeated them
Chapter 1 Joshua commissioning
Our commissioning
Mat 28.18-20
Jesus great commission
Jesus says I am with you always
I have been commissioned by God
2cor 5.16-6 and 6.2 Christ ambassadors - you luce according to the rules of where you come from - heaven. We represent Christ
Christs love compels us. He gave us the ministry of reconciliation. He is making his appeal through us
Chapter 2-5
Entering the promise land
2 spies sent in - count the cost luke 14.28. Know what your doing before you do it
12 stones as a memorial - David and Goliath 1 Sam 17 - the lord will hand you over to me. The whole world will know there is a God. He called on his memory of how God delivered him from the lions and the hears. What am I remembering that God has delivered me in my life?
Use the example of David and Goliath. The same God loves me as much as he loves David. We have the army of God behind us. God wants the whole world to know Jesus died for them
Circumcision - circumcision of the heart rom 2.29. God cuts away the old in our heart
Commander of the lords army - Jesus col 2.15.
Hebrews 3-4 - make every effort to enter into rest
Numbers 13& 14 - with God we can do it. God loves this atitude. That's the attitude that enters into the promise
Chapter 6-12 conquering the land
Fall of Jericho. The city was fortified God says see I have given it to you. It wad about living by faith not by sight. Am I looking at the fortified city or that God wil conquer
Let the first be devoted to God
Know we are living in Christ.
1john 4.4 am I looking at he that is in me or the world when I'm facing challenges. Christ is already in us so I am already am overcomer. I says you have overcome not you will
1john5.4-5 the victory is ours already. The circumstance is there but tge faith is that God has delivered you by putting Jesus inside us
I am not a conquerer because Jesus is inside me
Rom 8.37. We ARE not we will be
2cor2.14.
Live as you are in Christ
Spiritual Warfare
1cor 9.26-27
fight against your flesh not the devil
I tim 1.18
Hold on to the faith and a good conscience - no condemnation because of what Jesus did
1tim 6.12
Good fight of the faith. People trying to lead people away. You need to do this and that but the faith is Jesus died to give right standing with God
Gal 3 Jesus has done it all for us
2tim4.7
Wherever it talks about fighting it's about the faith that Jesus has done it all for us. The truth of the gospel
2cor10.3-5
It's about what we know about God. Keep it simple and know that God has saved us through Jesus Thought > high thing > argument > stronghold. Johnny has believed it for long enough Take it to Christ obedients not mine Knowledge of God - he's a god of lice mercy and grace he's a giving God. He gave us Jesus. Think about the obedience of Christ not my obedience
1pet 2.11
Rom 7.23
The war is about the faith that what Jesus did was enough
2pet5.6
Humble yourself by trusting in God. Resisting by standing firm in the faith that what Jesus did was enough
Col 2.15 when we were dead in our sin, God made you alive with Christ.
He forgave me. He has disarmed the powers so declare that to them. The devil is s toothless lion. I have to this to be right with God
2cor11.3-4
1pet5.6-9
Col 2.15
Eph 6.11
2cor2.10-11
It's simple just see that Jesus died to make us right with God - there is nothing we need to do. Fight if anything comes against that
Eph 6.10-17
Truth John 1.17, John 14.6
Righteousness Ron 3.22 breastplate guards your heart Gospel of peace rom 6.1-5 Faith - belief in Jesus Christ that he died for us and that's enough Salvation eph 2.8-9 I know that I'm saved it's been given to me by grace Word of God
Heb 3&4
The rest is about what God does not what we do
It's about your heart and mind and relying on the truth that Jesus died for our sin. That there is nothing more we need to
Chapters - Divinding the land
We are the body of Christ
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