Wednesday WOW Worship – 30 September 2015

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Worship Wednesday

September 30, 2015

Opening Prayer

O Merciful Father, We thank you that you are a loving God! We thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus Christ! We thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit! We thank you for life and that we can know you personally!
Amen!

A time now to confess our sins! Now we are free to give our God praise, knowing that we have confessed our sins, He has forgiven us and there is no impediment to our praise!

Time of praise with Psalm 134!

Psalm 134

(The Message)

Come, bless God, all you servants of God!

You priests of God, posted to the nightwatch in God’s shrine,

Lift your praising hands to the Holy Place, and bless God.

In turn, may God of Zion bless you – God who made heaven and earth!

 

My Jesus!

I wonder how you view Jesus Christ! What is your opinion of the man whose very birth splits history into two parts – before his birth and after his birth! This Jesus, the Word of God!

In the beginning, this Jesus the Word, already existed. This Jesus the Word was with God, and this Jesus the Word was God! Jesus the Word existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Jesus the Word, and nothing was created except through Jesus the Word! Jesus the Word gave life to everything that was created, and his very life brought light to everyone. This light, Jesus the Word, shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish the light. That’s Jesus Christ! The man who was and is God! Jesus Christ who is the visible image of the invisible God. Jesus Christ who existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation!

Indeed, for through Jesus Christ, God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. Jesus Christ made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Jesus Christ and for Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Jesus Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. Jesus Christ is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. Therefore, Jesus Christ is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Jesus Christ, and through Jesus Christ alone, God reconciled everything to himself. Jesus Christ made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of His very own blood on the cross.

That’s my Jesus! My Jesus who is fully divine, fully human, glorious in His death and resurrection! My Jesus who is supreme over all, the creator of all! My Jesus who is my eternal leader, eternal sustainer! My Jesus who has all power and all authority! My Jesus who reconciles me with God, my peace-maker with God and is the one who gives perfect peace!

There is only one Saviour for the world. There will never be another because there is no need of another. This Jesus is coming back as well!!!! But Jesus is not coming back as baby next time but as the living holy Almighty Son of God!

What does Jesus look like now? His close friend John saw him some years after Jesus’ ascension back to the right hand of God! Here is what John saw!

Jesus, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on Jesus’ head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. Jesus’ feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace! Jesus’ voice was like the sound of rushing waters. Jesus’ right hand held seven stars! Coming forth out of Jesus’ mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. Jesus’ face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

That was an amazing moment when Jesus beloved friend, John, saw Jesus in all his majesty!

This John, who records these words from Jesus! “It is finished! It is complete! I, King Jesus, am the Alpha and the Omega-the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I, King Jesus, will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I, King Jesus, will be their God, and they will be my children.

“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars-their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.”

“Look! I, King Jesus, am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I, King Jesus, am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

That’s my Jesus, who called me to follow Him almost 30 years ago now! It has been a rollercoaster ride, but I have always known that He is in charge! Are you one of His followers or are you continuing to be one of His deniers?

Song

Now let us finish up with a song! Today it is Marjorie Reece singing a “Praise Song to Jesus”


Jesus! Jesus! You are the King of Kings! Blessed Jesus, Sweet Jesus, You are my everything.

And, Lord, I love you. I love You. And I’ll love you more and more. O Lord, I love you, I love You. You loved me long before.

Lord, I worship You. I worship You. You are the Ransomed Lamb. O Lord, I worship You. I worship You. You are the Great I Am.

O Lord, I praise You. I praise You. Praise You for all You’ve done. O Lord, I praise You. I praise You. You are God’s Only Son.

Yes, You’re Jesus, blessed Jesus. You are the King of Kings. Blessed Jesus, sweet Jesus. You are my Everything.

And, Lord, I love You. I love You. And I’ll love You more and more. Oh, yes, I love You. I love You. ‘Cause You loved me long before. You loved me long before.

Words and Music by Marjorie Reece (c) 1986 by TJM

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POD – Psalm 119

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Psalm 119

‘ Aleph

¹ Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,

who walk according to the law of the LORD.

² Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.

³ They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.

⁴ You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.

⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!

⁶ Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.

⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.

⁸ I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.

Think Spot 28 September 2015

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28th September 2015

Deceivers or Receivers

2 Tim.3:7, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Approaching two young ladies and two young men who belonged to a certain religious cult (I knew this as I had met the two men previously. They were now resting from their door to door visitation at a local coffee house I go to regularly.. I had felt deep concern for them for some while and feeling compassion for them after prayer really felt pressed to ask them a particular question . This question along with its answer had been on my mind and heart all morning and I knew I was meant to use it in my work as an evangelist with someone who God would place in my path that day.

Now it seemed God had led me deliberately to these particular four people. God is sovereign and never makes a mistake. So I began.
“May I ask you a question. I am unsure as to what your organisation would teach you to say to someone you came across who had little time to live.

For instance, If you as Bible Believer’s were visiting a very sick man who had been told by his doctors he might die at any time what would be the most important, most wonderful, encouraging, news in the Bible you could share with him? Say, he only had ten minutes to live, what would be the most important truth from the Bible you must share with him.?”

I admit I was desiring most assuredly to share the gospel message to all four young people before me, who I believed were blinded by their teachers and presented with false teaching concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. So I considered this was a good way to go about it. With this particular cult they are hungry for questions put to them as they believe they alone have the answers to life and death and love to impart knowledge to those of us who are lacking it in their opinion. They just love to be the teacher.

So I was pretending I was not as knowledgeable as they were.
So how did I get on, you ask? One of the men said “I would tell him it was important for him to address God as Jehovah.” I encouraged the speaker by saying “good point”. But added “But was this the most urgent news he needed to hear? Is there a scripture which helps us in that situation? What was the vital information this man needed to hear in order for this man if he was about to die if he was to be assured of a safe arrival in Heaven?

Surely with eternity at stake this man needed to be able to hear the answer to this very important question. One of the young men said “Well he hasn’t time to be taught the way to eternal life in the new earth so he would miss out” The truth is they didn’t know so I gently asked if I might quote a scripture which I considered would be a brilliant illustration to help the dying man. This they readily agreed to.

I took them to Acts 16 and the question asked by a very frightened Philippian jailer whose life was about to be taken from him by those who employed him if his prisoners escaped. You see an earthquake had recently taken place causing the doors of the cells to come off their hinges and they were flung open wide allowing the prisoners to flee.

So what question was asked by this Jailer as he fell trembling on his knees before Paul and Silas who had been his prisoners “Sirs what must I do to be saved?” Paul instead of running for his life answered with the most wonderful news he could have given to anyone in need of knowing the way to heaven. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

The young ladies who had been listening intently were very impressed by this illustration from the Bible and said ”Yes surely that is great news , the best” However they didn’t know that it would be upsetting to the young men who were their teachers that morning. Guys who were teaching them what their cult taught that Jesus is not the Son of God. Yet the Bible addresses Jesus as The Lord Jesus Christ. A term for God.

Well, very little else was said after that but I had placed Scripture in their minds and Hebrews 4:12; informs us how important that was.

I only hoped that later they may have looked up Acts 16:31; in its context, and saw how that man was gloriously saved through the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ as well as his family who on hearing from Paul the gospel, made a quick response and became followers of Jesus Christ and were made ready for heaven.

There are none so blind as those who do not want to see. Blinded and none so deaf to Jesus words. These peoples minds were closed to the great gospel truth and needed their eyes and ears opened by God.

There are many people who follow teachers who lead them away from the Bible. They teach them only to use the scriptures to their own movements advancement. They are are on a slippery slope ‘the blind leading the blind” and need to be taught a better way and be brought to a true understanding of scripture which will then place their feet on a sure foundation, secure as an anchor in Christ our Saviour.

If you have been taught the better way (see John 14:6) be thankful and be ready to share with others as opportunities fall your way. Remember when you do so to use the “Sword of the Spirit,which is The Word of God” (Hebrews 4:12;)

Joy’s Prayer

Dear loving Heavenly Father,

How thankful we are that you have put good Bible teachers on this earth and placed them in our way to show us the Truth concerning the way to Heaven.
Help us to be discerning as to what is The Truth and to study God’s Word to show ourselves approved by God and to always read the Bible in context as we know a word not in context is a pretext.

Many fall into error because of false teachers. If we are to come to a knowledge of the truth we have to take special care to listen to evangelical teachers who believe all of the Bible and rely on The Holy Spirit to speak through them . We know there are some cults which do not even believe The Holy Spirit is a Person sent by You to help us to discern and steer clear of such teachers. Show us clearly which churches are truly biblical and those which are not.

Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers

In Jesus name.
Amen.

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A Simple Way To Pray – Martin Luther – Part 2

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A Simple Way To Pray
Martin Luther

Study 2

The Second petition: “Your kingdom come.” Say: “O dear Lord, God and Father, You see how worldly wisdom and reason not only profane Your name and ascribe the honour due to You alone to lies and to the devil, but how they also take the power, might, wealth and glory which You have given them on earth for ruling the world and thus serving You, and use it in their own ambition to oppose Your kingdom. They are many and mighty; they plague and hinder the tiny flock of Your kingdom who are weak, despised, and few. They will not tolerate Your flock on earth and think that by plaguing them they render a great and godly service to You.

Dear Lord, God and Father, convert them and defend us. Convert those who are still to become children and members of Your kingdom so that they with us and we with them may serve thee in Your kingdom in true faith and unfeigned love and that from Your kingdom which has begun, we may enter into Your eternal kingdom. Defend us against those who will not turn away their might and power from the destruction of Your kingdom so that when they are east down from their thrones and humbled, they will have to cease from their efforts. Amen.”

(‘A Simple Way To Pray by Martin Luther’:
Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, the 10 Commandments, and the Creed – A Letter
to His Barber, Master Peter Beskendorf, Spring 1535. The ebook or PDF
is widely available to download for free online.)

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Gems in the Gospel of John – Part 05

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Gems in the Gospel of John

Part 5 – John 1:6–8, 15, 19-28 – John was not Jesus

The other John, John the Baptist as we call him, though he is never called that in this Gospel, flits in and out of this chapter. Reading John 1: 6 – 8 and then 15 and 19 – 28.

First in the prologue, the introduction to the Gospel we read ‘There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.’ This introduces John as that most important person, a true witness giving testimony to Jesus.
Those words ‘witness’ and ‘testimony’ are just about the same in the original Greek, both coming from the word ‘martyr’. John is important in his role as the first and most prominent witness to Jesus. He gets more space than Jesus does in the history of the time written by a guy called Josephus, probably because he acted much more like an Old Testament prophet than did Jesus and so was more easily understood by the Jews of those days.
He is a good reminder to us that we too should be good witnesses to Jesus. As Peter said, ‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect’.

Second: later in the chapter we read that ‘(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.“)’ and then there are several verses explaining how John testified. ‘Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord. ’”
Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

All of which is a sharp reminder that when we witness we should not do it to increase our own self-image to ourselves or to the Lord, but purely for the sake of our Savior Jesus. Such a caution is probably unnecessary if we are witnessing privately to one or two other people, but if we are up on a platform, or behind a microphone, then we may well fall into the trap of glorying in what we are doing. John did not do that.

The people sent down from Jerusalem were fairly sure he was someone very important: the Messiah, Elijah come to life again, or the promised prophet like Moses. No – says John. ‘I am just a voice in the wilderness preparing the way for a much more important person who is to come. Not even slaves were expected to take people’s sandals off but John was prepared to do even that for the one who was to come. You can’t get much lower, more humble than that. And that is the way we should be. Oof!

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