The title for what I would like to talk about tonight is as the song says a
Beautiful Exchange
Have you ever thought about your salvation, as a
beautiful exchange?
When we have been Christians for a long time we / I can become complacent about the terms we have heard for so long about our salvation and all that Jesus has done for us .... Ive been listening to Hillsongs song "A Beautiful Exchange" alot lately and its lyrics has really blessed and spoken to me I feel refreshed as its helped me to remember and think once again about all God has done for me! So what I bring tonight is based on the lyrics of this song ..... It begins .......
You were near
Though I was distant
Disillusioned I was
Lost and insecure
Is there anyone here tonight feeling this way?? Or ever felt this way??
It says in Isaiah 53 v 6 …...
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
Without Jesus in my life this is how I felt …... distant dissilusioned my life felt meaningless, l was lost, wandering making a mess of things... sometimes in our walk we can feel this way God can seem distant and far away but God never changes its us that we try and do things in our own strength.
Still mercy fought
For my attention
You were waiting at the door
He wants to get our attention tonight are we listening?? What is it he wants us to hear?
In Revelation 3:20 it says ….
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
He is here waiting! So What are we waiting for??
Then I let you in
What happens when we let him in? Our lives are changed forever ...
In 2 Corinthians 5 v 17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
We are no longer lost, lonely, we are new creations we are loved we have meaning a purpose we have been given the gift of eternal life! He comes to us as we are .. broken unnatractive in our sin, hopeless, helpless, weak, unworthy he makes us beautiful!!
As Pastor Robin said about the country park last week it has been reclaimed and turned into something beautiful. The same Jesus does with our lives!
Trading your life
For my offenses
For my redemption
You carried all the blame
He took our place, took our sin, trading his life for ours,
He gave for us the ultimate sacrifice
In John 3 v 16 it says ….
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
In Romans 5 …..6
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
and in v8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Breaking the curse
Of our condition
what is our curse ??….... we are all sinners
We are cursed meaning we are sinners destined for an eternity in hell ….
it began in the very beginning ...
In Genesis we see Adam and Eve living in the paradise of the garden. There is no sin in the world and God Himself would come and walk with them in the cool of the day. Not only did they have direct access to God, they had access to everything else in the garden, all except the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil,
In Genesis 3 we read about how the serpent convinced and persuaded Eve to eat of this tree.
So they both ate the fruit and their eyes were opened to the knowledge of good and evil. They became no longer acceptable to God.Verse 21 tells of how God clothed them both with leather, this meant that something had to die – probably an innocent lamb. God killed it to clothe Adam and Eve, to make them acceptable. From that time onwards there was a process of continual sacrifice of the innocent to pay the price for the guilty.
Then in verse 23 and 24 we read how they were expelled from the Garden of Eden.
We are all sinners and none of us are perfect!!
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
But God made a way for us where there was no other way! He sent his son and changed it all!!!!
all we have to do is ….........
1 John 1:9-10 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2 Cor 8:9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
Jesus broke the generational curses!!!! Because of His Grace we are now able to lay hold of the many blessings that God has for us.
Perfection took our place
He took our place, when he died on the cross for all our sins, he didnt deserve this death, this torment and torture ... he had done nothing wrong... but stil he took our place.
Hes taken away my sin! Hes taken away your sin!
How awesome is God!! Can we understand all that he has done for us?? Our position with God is not dependent on my our lives what we have said and done but on the quality of the sacrifice, The ultimate sacrifice Jesus, the Lamb without blemish.
1 Peter 1 v 18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
God offered His own Son, perfect and without spot or blemish. What a sacrifice!
1 Peter 2:22
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
Chorus:
When only love could make a way
You gave your life in a beautiful exchange
How deep is our fathers love for us!! Only love could enable us to be able to spend eternity in heaven, he exhcanged his life so we might be saved!
Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The notes on bible gateway after this verse read
a sin offering this verse has been called the Great Exchange amid many other things. It is shocking in its simplicty and profound in its depth.
He did this for us!!!!
My burden erased
My life forgiven
Acts 10:43
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
There is nothing that could take this love away
we must take hold of this fact! God loves us!!
Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And my only desire and sold ambition
Is to love you just the same
Is this our desire above all else in life tonight?? No matter whats going on today do we want more than anything else to love Jesus as he loved us??
Mark 12:30
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Chorus:
When only love could make a way
You gave your life in a beautiful exchange
Isaiah 53
Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by mankind
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression
and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes
his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life
and be satisfied
by his knowledge
my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors
WOW!!!! Powerful words that bring it all together and amaze me everytime!!
Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORDi
for the display of his splendor.
He makes us beautiful we are new creations in him. What ever we have been through or are going through ... we can know his love and healing power today .let us be filled with good fruit, the fruits of the spirit, kindness, goodness, faithfullness, patience, self control, peace, joy, meekness and love. let us feel loved by the Lord and feel positive about ourselves and our lives be encouraged feel important ,significant, valuable ,accepted ,guilt free ,forgiven unique and special.
1John 4 18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love
God loves us perfectly, without fault! Such love can only be found in him, no one else! we all fail ourselves and eachother! we are human in Mathew 26 v 41
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
but Gods love never fails!
Please in your own devotional times read 1 John 4 all about Gods Love it truly is amazing stuff!!
In the message version it says in v 17-18
God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.
When only love could break these chains
You gave your life in a beautiful exchange
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Isaiah 61:1
Our chains have been broken we are set free! Free from sin!! Let us praise him!
Bridge:
Holy are you God
Holy is your name
With everything I’ve got
My heart will sing how I love you
Is this our song tonight?? Will we sing praises to God our king for all he has done and give thanks to him! How can we not after all he has given and done for us..... He gave his life for a beautiful exchange ...
To finish ...A few quotes i found on the internet
our salvation wasn't a joint effort. You didn't contribute a penny because you were spiritually bankrupt. Bob Gass
I know you have no righteousness of your own…here, have mine.” God
and one more scripture :)
In Psalm 40
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand
He put a new song in my mouth
a hymn of praise to our God
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Vyc awesome nite awesome God!!
Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.
Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.
My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave. (x2)
Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)
My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave. (x2)
Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus. (x4)
As always I love VYC's for those that dont know already they are a monthly youth event where different youth groups and leaders get together and have a good time praising God!! Tonight was no exception was a great nite!! Young people giving God the glory and wanting to know him more and serve him more its amazing!!
Tonights message was simple and Im writing it here for all to see, as its not just for the youth or me and mine but is for everyone!! God wants all to come to know him and love him as he loves everyone!!!!
the points were
a) ACCEPT, accept Jesus as your saviour, into your heart as your God and king,
b) BELIEVE, believe that He is a big God that he died for your sins that he made heaven and earth and all in it.
c) COMMIT, commit your lives to him, give him your all, receive and accept what God has planned for you and act on your calling.
Simple a,b,c. That's all he asks and he's done so much for us! God wants us to follow him, he is the only way! If your wondering what's this life all about? Is this it? Then come to know God he has so much more than what the world has to offer!!
I was asked today how I have changed since becoming a Christian, I said simply I'm still me!! But a better version! That's what God has done in me! Without him I'm nothing! Then I was asked what a difference knowing God has made in my life, and why I'm a Christian. I answered, God is someone that's always there for me, no matter what,when or where, he forgives me and loves me for who I am, he's someone I can rely on, he helps me day to day throughout my life. He's awesome!! People seem to think that when you become a Christian your like some alien being LOL, unable to have fun, or relate to people that are not Christians thats so untrue!
As I've said already but am gonna say again God isn't just for me and mine he's for YOU too!!! He accepts you as you are, Dont ever think your not good enough for God no matter what he's mighty to save as the song says, he forgives all sins!! He's the best!!
Be blessed!! xxxx:)
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.
Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.
My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave. (x2)
Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)
My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave. (x2)
Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus. (x4)
As always I love VYC's for those that dont know already they are a monthly youth event where different youth groups and leaders get together and have a good time praising God!! Tonight was no exception was a great nite!! Young people giving God the glory and wanting to know him more and serve him more its amazing!!
Tonights message was simple and Im writing it here for all to see, as its not just for the youth or me and mine but is for everyone!! God wants all to come to know him and love him as he loves everyone!!!!
the points were
a) ACCEPT, accept Jesus as your saviour, into your heart as your God and king,
b) BELIEVE, believe that He is a big God that he died for your sins that he made heaven and earth and all in it.
c) COMMIT, commit your lives to him, give him your all, receive and accept what God has planned for you and act on your calling.
Simple a,b,c. That's all he asks and he's done so much for us! God wants us to follow him, he is the only way! If your wondering what's this life all about? Is this it? Then come to know God he has so much more than what the world has to offer!!
I was asked today how I have changed since becoming a Christian, I said simply I'm still me!! But a better version! That's what God has done in me! Without him I'm nothing! Then I was asked what a difference knowing God has made in my life, and why I'm a Christian. I answered, God is someone that's always there for me, no matter what,when or where, he forgives me and loves me for who I am, he's someone I can rely on, he helps me day to day throughout my life. He's awesome!! People seem to think that when you become a Christian your like some alien being LOL, unable to have fun, or relate to people that are not Christians thats so untrue!
As I've said already but am gonna say again God isn't just for me and mine he's for YOU too!!! He accepts you as you are, Dont ever think your not good enough for God no matter what he's mighty to save as the song says, he forgives all sins!! He's the best!!
Be blessed!! xxxx:)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Hope '08
Here I am again and has been a while, what can I say I'm a busy woman hehe. Just wanna share about some amazing things that have been going on at my church, Aberaman Pentecostal church that is. Why do I wanna share? Well because it's good news and lets face it we dont hear enough good news these days, I find the news really depressing!! But it's real and is what is going on in the world around us! Anyway here I go again going off on a tangent LOL. My news:) We had planned a missions weekend at our Church, that had been planned since the beginning of the year almost. The evangelist team at my church, invited a team of outside evangelists to come to our Church for a weekend and co-ordinated meetings for these days and special events and services for all ages!! I have to say a lot of work and effort was put in by these guys and lots of others at the church!!! Brill work u guys!!
This weekend (well 4 days actually) took place at the beginning of this month, seemed like forever that we waited for it to come, then poof it was there!! As a church we prayed that people would come, leaflets went though doors, posters in windows, in workplaces and shops. (had some in my work but sadly no one came).The kids put them up in their schools, lots of them LOL even on the cars hehe. The heading on this notice, *Hope '08 at Aberaman* then on the bottom it said, *Miracles still happen today*.The team that came was led by Marilyn Harry (who is an international evangelist and is Welsh too!! Fab lady!!) with her she had a team from all over the UK all lovely people!
The Thursday was the 1st day with a Mums n Tots group, a prayer and healing meeting and a gathering in the night as an ice breaker to meet the team and have food! (love food and meeting people of course). The Mums n Tots saw lots of new people, the afternoon meeting saw someone come to know Jesus and someone be healed!! The evening get together was lovely too, the team were just lovely, so warm and welcoming and very encouraging!!
The Friday, a coffee morning, which saw again a lot of people, and these people didn't just have a coffee then leave (as people often do) but they stayed until it was over, happy, relaxed and chatting in the house of God!! As everyone should be!. Details of the afternoon meeting am not sure of but am sure all that went were blessed, it was another prayer and healing meeting. The night was then the youth event!! (wooo hooo) I work with the youth hence my enthusiasm!! :D Theyr a great bunch!! Love ya all!! For a while leading up to this night things have been relatively quiet at youth, steady but quiet. You may say well this is a good thing, yes it means our jobs are easier, but i prefer the manic, madness of a full house of kids from outside the church!! As then I feel we are doing what we are there for, reaching the lost yes!! Well the Fri night was pretty busy!!!! Lots of new people came, my daughter Tam invited her mate from School too. There was the team, a band (woo hoo, which consisted of the youth!!! and of course my handsome talented nephew on bass!!) They were really good!! We had a guest speaker for the night, a young lady from Newport who had an amazing testimony of how God had touched her life! I didn't get to hear it all, that's another story, which I will share in a bit, but in order I wanna say the good first!! She shared how she'd been through a life on the streets, and how she had been on drugs etc. (sorry details are vague as I said I missed it). And God had changed her, she was so exitable and happy, u could see God had done a great work in her!! the kids just sat mouths open watching her as she moved around talking! Then there was an appeal for any that wanted to come to know Jesus. Well 4 I believe went forward,( but i think this number increased to 7 afterwards) 1 of these was Tams mate!! others of our youth went forward for prayer too, It was awesome! I had the privelege of leading a young lady from our Church to come to know Jesus. No one wanted to go home, It was such a great atmosphere and I know what it was, It was God at work in peoples lives. ! young man went forward who had been a real pain the week before and was really quite aggressive, and now he has a bible and is getting on great with everyone, and get this!!! has been apologising to anyone he has been nasty or rude too!! how God works on and in people!! Hehe hes a great kid!! They all are!! Many that didnt make a decision that night have since come back for more youth, so we have a new bunch of young people coming which is fab!!
Right back to why I missed the speaker, I was on door duty! With my beloved hubby, who's job it is every week to man the doors (basically he's the bouncer). This may sound harsh for a church youth group, but believe me u gotta see it to know why we need him there!! That night he called me for assistance, as there was a gang of girls out there too of which were extremely drunk. Im not gonna say too much about this, just that he was concerned. Things got a bit ruff with the 1 girl, she ended up being cuffed and taken by the police, the other I rang her mother to collect her, she was very emotional. Both of these girls are in care, and it was awful to see how vulnerable, and distraught these 2 were, just needing and craving to forget about their lives, and to have what we all want someone to love them and make them feel secure!! This came on the same night that all the good things happened inside, why I wondered, as me and hub went home feeling drained emotionally, after the buzz and exitement of what went on indoors, to this outside. Well maybe it happened to try and discourage us, an attack because we were doing something good for Jesus,either way it made me feel more determined than ever before!!!!!! That what we do there every Friday at youth is so important because people need to hear about God!!!
Saturday came, I was told that the am. Kids club was really great!! Lots came and enjoyed!! Again not sure of how the afternoon went. The night was another meeting, lots came, lots went forward for prayer for healing, and I believe 3 or 4 gave their hearts and lives to Jesus!! We did our drama (I was in it too!! and Tam!) the live and death of Jesus!! Powerful drama!! The crucifixion part is truly moving and equally awful, but thats what happened what our Jesus did for us right!!
Sunday the last day. (I missed the morning one we went to another church!! SHOCK!! LOL to support good mates of ours!!! My bezzie mate Jayne's hub was preachin. We had a great time there!!) the meeting was at 4 pm in the afternoon, again lots there and lots went forward again for prayer and baptism in the Holy Spirit. Was a great meeting, had the privelege of praying for and with someone that wanted to put their life back right with God. Then thats it the end, they all went home and the weekend was over!
Since then as I said the youth that came have come back, Tams mate is going on with God and learning, reading her bible she's a great gal!! And is being encouraged by her mate Tam (whos fab!!) Sometimes when something like this happens tho it can leave you feeling deflated afterwards, like right whats next and what do we do now, and what have we got to look forward to now. Like after a hol somewhere hot, or after Christmas (as I love Christmas) :) Well thats how i have felt anyway. But then i thought right the God that was there when the team came wasnt only there because they brought him was he??? NOOOOOOOO of course not, he moved because we prayed he would and all of us together wanted the same thing, hearts of one accord, let's see you move God!! faith to believe he would and he did!! He is still here, he still wants to move, this weekend wasnt to come and then all go back to normal NO!! God wants us to carry on the work he has began, this weekend was to show us that yes miracles do happen, hellooooo u guys I'm alive and here waitng wanting to touch peoples lives!! It was a kick up the bum and the push and encouragement i needed to carry on pushing running the race back for God!! He needs us all to do the same for others to be reached.
Wel thats about it for today, for those that love Jesus already I pray that this has been an encouragement to you!! For those that dont know him, he's awesome really!!, he's made a difference in my life and I can't imagine life without him ever!! He may not change what we are going through, life is still tough and eventful, but he makes the difference as he's always there!! Never changes!! guiding me, helping me, re-assuring me!! he loves me like no other can ever!! Sure Im not perfect and those that know me know that hehe (too well u prob say!) but God doesnt condemn me, I know Im a sinner and am only saved because of him and his love for me!! On my own Im nothing!! A hopeles case!! But in him Im a new creation!! Im a beautiful creation that he loves and cares for and he died for me and you too!!
Thats all folks be blessed :) xxxxx
This weekend (well 4 days actually) took place at the beginning of this month, seemed like forever that we waited for it to come, then poof it was there!! As a church we prayed that people would come, leaflets went though doors, posters in windows, in workplaces and shops. (had some in my work but sadly no one came).The kids put them up in their schools, lots of them LOL even on the cars hehe. The heading on this notice, *Hope '08 at Aberaman* then on the bottom it said, *Miracles still happen today*.The team that came was led by Marilyn Harry (who is an international evangelist and is Welsh too!! Fab lady!!) with her she had a team from all over the UK all lovely people!
The Thursday was the 1st day with a Mums n Tots group, a prayer and healing meeting and a gathering in the night as an ice breaker to meet the team and have food! (love food and meeting people of course). The Mums n Tots saw lots of new people, the afternoon meeting saw someone come to know Jesus and someone be healed!! The evening get together was lovely too, the team were just lovely, so warm and welcoming and very encouraging!!
The Friday, a coffee morning, which saw again a lot of people, and these people didn't just have a coffee then leave (as people often do) but they stayed until it was over, happy, relaxed and chatting in the house of God!! As everyone should be!. Details of the afternoon meeting am not sure of but am sure all that went were blessed, it was another prayer and healing meeting. The night was then the youth event!! (wooo hooo) I work with the youth hence my enthusiasm!! :D Theyr a great bunch!! Love ya all!! For a while leading up to this night things have been relatively quiet at youth, steady but quiet. You may say well this is a good thing, yes it means our jobs are easier, but i prefer the manic, madness of a full house of kids from outside the church!! As then I feel we are doing what we are there for, reaching the lost yes!! Well the Fri night was pretty busy!!!! Lots of new people came, my daughter Tam invited her mate from School too. There was the team, a band (woo hoo, which consisted of the youth!!! and of course my handsome talented nephew on bass!!) They were really good!! We had a guest speaker for the night, a young lady from Newport who had an amazing testimony of how God had touched her life! I didn't get to hear it all, that's another story, which I will share in a bit, but in order I wanna say the good first!! She shared how she'd been through a life on the streets, and how she had been on drugs etc. (sorry details are vague as I said I missed it). And God had changed her, she was so exitable and happy, u could see God had done a great work in her!! the kids just sat mouths open watching her as she moved around talking! Then there was an appeal for any that wanted to come to know Jesus. Well 4 I believe went forward,( but i think this number increased to 7 afterwards) 1 of these was Tams mate!! others of our youth went forward for prayer too, It was awesome! I had the privelege of leading a young lady from our Church to come to know Jesus. No one wanted to go home, It was such a great atmosphere and I know what it was, It was God at work in peoples lives. ! young man went forward who had been a real pain the week before and was really quite aggressive, and now he has a bible and is getting on great with everyone, and get this!!! has been apologising to anyone he has been nasty or rude too!! how God works on and in people!! Hehe hes a great kid!! They all are!! Many that didnt make a decision that night have since come back for more youth, so we have a new bunch of young people coming which is fab!!
Right back to why I missed the speaker, I was on door duty! With my beloved hubby, who's job it is every week to man the doors (basically he's the bouncer). This may sound harsh for a church youth group, but believe me u gotta see it to know why we need him there!! That night he called me for assistance, as there was a gang of girls out there too of which were extremely drunk. Im not gonna say too much about this, just that he was concerned. Things got a bit ruff with the 1 girl, she ended up being cuffed and taken by the police, the other I rang her mother to collect her, she was very emotional. Both of these girls are in care, and it was awful to see how vulnerable, and distraught these 2 were, just needing and craving to forget about their lives, and to have what we all want someone to love them and make them feel secure!! This came on the same night that all the good things happened inside, why I wondered, as me and hub went home feeling drained emotionally, after the buzz and exitement of what went on indoors, to this outside. Well maybe it happened to try and discourage us, an attack because we were doing something good for Jesus,either way it made me feel more determined than ever before!!!!!! That what we do there every Friday at youth is so important because people need to hear about God!!!
Saturday came, I was told that the am. Kids club was really great!! Lots came and enjoyed!! Again not sure of how the afternoon went. The night was another meeting, lots came, lots went forward for prayer for healing, and I believe 3 or 4 gave their hearts and lives to Jesus!! We did our drama (I was in it too!! and Tam!) the live and death of Jesus!! Powerful drama!! The crucifixion part is truly moving and equally awful, but thats what happened what our Jesus did for us right!!
Sunday the last day. (I missed the morning one we went to another church!! SHOCK!! LOL to support good mates of ours!!! My bezzie mate Jayne's hub was preachin. We had a great time there!!) the meeting was at 4 pm in the afternoon, again lots there and lots went forward again for prayer and baptism in the Holy Spirit. Was a great meeting, had the privelege of praying for and with someone that wanted to put their life back right with God. Then thats it the end, they all went home and the weekend was over!
Since then as I said the youth that came have come back, Tams mate is going on with God and learning, reading her bible she's a great gal!! And is being encouraged by her mate Tam (whos fab!!) Sometimes when something like this happens tho it can leave you feeling deflated afterwards, like right whats next and what do we do now, and what have we got to look forward to now. Like after a hol somewhere hot, or after Christmas (as I love Christmas) :) Well thats how i have felt anyway. But then i thought right the God that was there when the team came wasnt only there because they brought him was he??? NOOOOOOOO of course not, he moved because we prayed he would and all of us together wanted the same thing, hearts of one accord, let's see you move God!! faith to believe he would and he did!! He is still here, he still wants to move, this weekend wasnt to come and then all go back to normal NO!! God wants us to carry on the work he has began, this weekend was to show us that yes miracles do happen, hellooooo u guys I'm alive and here waitng wanting to touch peoples lives!! It was a kick up the bum and the push and encouragement i needed to carry on pushing running the race back for God!! He needs us all to do the same for others to be reached.
Wel thats about it for today, for those that love Jesus already I pray that this has been an encouragement to you!! For those that dont know him, he's awesome really!!, he's made a difference in my life and I can't imagine life without him ever!! He may not change what we are going through, life is still tough and eventful, but he makes the difference as he's always there!! Never changes!! guiding me, helping me, re-assuring me!! he loves me like no other can ever!! Sure Im not perfect and those that know me know that hehe (too well u prob say!) but God doesnt condemn me, I know Im a sinner and am only saved because of him and his love for me!! On my own Im nothing!! A hopeles case!! But in him Im a new creation!! Im a beautiful creation that he loves and cares for and he died for me and you too!!
Thats all folks be blessed :) xxxxx
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Just more thoughts :)
Been reading me bible last few days am in Leviticus, its pretty hard going but hey its God's word! The offerings Im reading at the moment, oh boy the detail, the exact procedures and ceremonies that have to be followed, the killing, shedding of so much blood, the amount of different ones for different sins (even unintentional sins, the different sacrifices for different people too. Then came a devotion after a few chapters. It was something like this......
We are not perfect just as people wern't perfect all them years ago, we sin unintentionally,we cant go a day without sinning,but even though God is the same God we don't have to shed blood or go through these rituals of offerings, because when God sent his son to die on that cross his sacrifice covered all our sins!! He paid our debt for us! His death was a declaration that we are not guilty! So no other sacrifices are required one has been made for us on our behalf, the ultimate sacrifice!!
What must we do? Just ask God to show us our sins and ask that he will forgive them, we need to confess our sins, say thankyou to God!! He deserves the praise of our lips too!! Our lives as service to him, to tell others about him and help others whenever we can. Not alot to ask me thinks :)
What really spoke to me *not that any of the above didn't* was the next part of the devotion about guilt! Im awful for always battling with myself and feeling guilty, in short i do my own head in!! Some examples, the school holiday, I have to work only 3 days but still, I have to leave the kids with my in laws *who are fab*, I feel guilty tho, I dont wanna leave my kids, I miss them, they miss me, I dont want to add more work for the in laws, as they are busy and getting older, Then if i enjoy work i feel guilty that I shouldn't be as I should be home enjoying time with the family. Arghhhhh and thats just one example, theres more, if I nag the kids too much, or not enough, *hub too*, if I don't spend enough time with them, if I don't help out enough with in laws dog, if i don't spend enough time with God, or give as much of me as I can to other people. Sometimes we think we are superwomen!! LOL *we are the better species tho* Jokes aside this guilt is annoying and can drag me down, some is just guilt, most is not!! And what does God say?? *Your not guilty!!* His blood covers all sin!! So we have to leave all our guilt and worries at his feet, confess and thank and move on!! *Seek ye first his kingdom and all these things shall follow* Luke 12. I hope and pray this touches someone else too, remember no ones perfect and you cant be all to everyone either!! Just remember too Your not guilty!! xx
We are not perfect just as people wern't perfect all them years ago, we sin unintentionally,we cant go a day without sinning,but even though God is the same God we don't have to shed blood or go through these rituals of offerings, because when God sent his son to die on that cross his sacrifice covered all our sins!! He paid our debt for us! His death was a declaration that we are not guilty! So no other sacrifices are required one has been made for us on our behalf, the ultimate sacrifice!!
What must we do? Just ask God to show us our sins and ask that he will forgive them, we need to confess our sins, say thankyou to God!! He deserves the praise of our lips too!! Our lives as service to him, to tell others about him and help others whenever we can. Not alot to ask me thinks :)
What really spoke to me *not that any of the above didn't* was the next part of the devotion about guilt! Im awful for always battling with myself and feeling guilty, in short i do my own head in!! Some examples, the school holiday, I have to work only 3 days but still, I have to leave the kids with my in laws *who are fab*, I feel guilty tho, I dont wanna leave my kids, I miss them, they miss me, I dont want to add more work for the in laws, as they are busy and getting older, Then if i enjoy work i feel guilty that I shouldn't be as I should be home enjoying time with the family. Arghhhhh and thats just one example, theres more, if I nag the kids too much, or not enough, *hub too*, if I don't spend enough time with them, if I don't help out enough with in laws dog, if i don't spend enough time with God, or give as much of me as I can to other people. Sometimes we think we are superwomen!! LOL *we are the better species tho* Jokes aside this guilt is annoying and can drag me down, some is just guilt, most is not!! And what does God say?? *Your not guilty!!* His blood covers all sin!! So we have to leave all our guilt and worries at his feet, confess and thank and move on!! *Seek ye first his kingdom and all these things shall follow* Luke 12. I hope and pray this touches someone else too, remember no ones perfect and you cant be all to everyone either!! Just remember too Your not guilty!! xx
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Finding our way in life
Just wanna share a few thoughts that have blessed me over the last few days, weeks, maybe months cant remember exactly but it starts with a song that has been really jumping out at me the words..... the band Barlow girls
All of You is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
Is more than enough
You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
Worth living for
Still more awesome than I know
Cuz All of you is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in you is more than enough
You're my sacrifice of greatest price
Still more awesome than I know
You're my coming King You're everything
Still more awesome than I know
All of you is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in you is more than enough
All of you is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in you is more than enough
Your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
This song is another example of songs we can listen to and sing and believe but not really take a hold of *speaking for me anyways*.This last few weeks and months I've been looking at my life,at myself and all things around me. Sometimes we all do that like re assess what we are, what we're about where we're going what we're here for, what are we going to do etc.... Well I began to think along these lines *Is this it? Is this my life? etc* I've looked at where I am in my walk with God, my role in my church , my purpose, my relationships with my family and friends, my job, questioning my happiness. You know as humans we can be so selfish sometimes, we have so much yet we want more and more!! Allthough I do think that it's good to look and see where we're going as long as the outcome is positive :) As my outcome has been I'd like to add!!
Maybe it's my age, or just where I am right now for God to speak to me who knows am just being honest and sharing how I feel...... Well before I bore you and dont get to my conclusion here it comes.... YES ther'es more to come, more for me and my house, God hasn't finished with me yet!!! Or maybe not even started what he has in store for me!! Yes my life may be changing, things in my church are changing, we need a pastor and I see lots of stuff going to transpire *some good some not so good* my kids are growing up and don't need me quite as much. my hub and me may have different interests and jobs, But the big BUT!! in my life is that God is still alive!!! He's still the same!!! and he wants to use me and I know that for sure so no mater what may come as the song says *when mountains fall I'll stand by the power of your hand* Im gonna live my life for God and instead of fearing the changes that are to come I'm ready and know I'm gonna be equipped for whatever may come my way and I'm exited for what God has in store for me!! :D
Back to the song God is enough for me just read the words they'r awesome!! If you really take a hold of God in your life he is all that you need and can satisfy every thirst and every need with his love and he is more than enough!!!!He gives meaning to my life *where am I without him*??? *what do I have without him*??? He gives my life a purpose *to serve him all I can* Change brings about insecurities in allot of people I know I'm not alone, But God brings positive changes and plans not to harm us but to prosper us!! He's just awesome!! He doesn't change!! He's the most consistent thing in my life!! I have a reason to live and breathe and to sing his praises! He has set me free, broken the chains of sin! Given me salvation sacrificed his son, for all things in my life.. my family, my friends, my church, the youth group, my home, my pets, my work, my daily blessings from his word, through worship, through time spent in prayer... he's always there and wherever I look I see his wonders..
I just wanna thank God for making me see that he's more than enough for me and I want to make a difference in this world so if anyone reading this doesn't know God and wants to know more just ask please!!! He really is an amazing God!
All of You is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
Is more than enough
You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
Worth living for
Still more awesome than I know
Cuz All of you is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in you is more than enough
You're my sacrifice of greatest price
Still more awesome than I know
You're my coming King You're everything
Still more awesome than I know
All of you is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in you is more than enough
All of you is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in you is more than enough
Your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
This song is another example of songs we can listen to and sing and believe but not really take a hold of *speaking for me anyways*.This last few weeks and months I've been looking at my life,at myself and all things around me. Sometimes we all do that like re assess what we are, what we're about where we're going what we're here for, what are we going to do etc.... Well I began to think along these lines *Is this it? Is this my life? etc* I've looked at where I am in my walk with God, my role in my church , my purpose, my relationships with my family and friends, my job, questioning my happiness. You know as humans we can be so selfish sometimes, we have so much yet we want more and more!! Allthough I do think that it's good to look and see where we're going as long as the outcome is positive :) As my outcome has been I'd like to add!!
Maybe it's my age, or just where I am right now for God to speak to me who knows am just being honest and sharing how I feel...... Well before I bore you and dont get to my conclusion here it comes.... YES ther'es more to come, more for me and my house, God hasn't finished with me yet!!! Or maybe not even started what he has in store for me!! Yes my life may be changing, things in my church are changing, we need a pastor and I see lots of stuff going to transpire *some good some not so good* my kids are growing up and don't need me quite as much. my hub and me may have different interests and jobs, But the big BUT!! in my life is that God is still alive!!! He's still the same!!! and he wants to use me and I know that for sure so no mater what may come as the song says *when mountains fall I'll stand by the power of your hand* Im gonna live my life for God and instead of fearing the changes that are to come I'm ready and know I'm gonna be equipped for whatever may come my way and I'm exited for what God has in store for me!! :D
Back to the song God is enough for me just read the words they'r awesome!! If you really take a hold of God in your life he is all that you need and can satisfy every thirst and every need with his love and he is more than enough!!!!He gives meaning to my life *where am I without him*??? *what do I have without him*??? He gives my life a purpose *to serve him all I can* Change brings about insecurities in allot of people I know I'm not alone, But God brings positive changes and plans not to harm us but to prosper us!! He's just awesome!! He doesn't change!! He's the most consistent thing in my life!! I have a reason to live and breathe and to sing his praises! He has set me free, broken the chains of sin! Given me salvation sacrificed his son, for all things in my life.. my family, my friends, my church, the youth group, my home, my pets, my work, my daily blessings from his word, through worship, through time spent in prayer... he's always there and wherever I look I see his wonders..
I just wanna thank God for making me see that he's more than enough for me and I want to make a difference in this world so if anyone reading this doesn't know God and wants to know more just ask please!!! He really is an amazing God!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Psalm 23
Psalm 23 one I know off by heart, have known since I was a lil kid, we probably all know it but sometimes we can learn things so matter of factly and miss what is being said to us............... well I do. :)
So I have looked at it over again and have been blessed at what God has been telling me through this scripture.
God is our shepherd, we are his sheep, he looks after us and out for us all the time! WE are his and HE is ours. We shall not want for anything, because he provides us with all that we need. The world has lots of things to offer and tempt us, but all are temporary no real substance, nothing that will last. Gods gifts are eternal!!!! :)
He makes me lie down in green pastures, I picture a serene place of rest, a luscious green pasture of grass, healthy and green, growing, flourishing. A place where we can find peace and relax and find comfort. Leads us beside the still waters, peaceful, quiet, clean and pure waters, refreshing, flowing. He leads the way and shows us where to go. It's up to us if we follow.
He restores my soul if we ask him to come into our hearts and lives, he forgives our sins. He died on the cross for us, gave his life, the ultimate sacrifice, so that we can be restored. He wants to make us whole, restored,renewed, complete in him! He heals our broken hearts and lives and transforms us into new creations in him. :)
He guides us in paths, he's with us each and every step of the way, he's always there!!! He walks with us and talks with us, and is there in all circumstances good and bad! He leads us when we seek his face, through prayer and reading his word, as we work on our relationship with him we become more like him :)
Even though we may be walking through shadows and dark circumstances, we need not fear, he knows all about it and he's there with us. All we need to do is trust in him, he's protecting us because we are his. He sends his Holy Spirit to bring us comfort in hard times. He loves us!
He has prepared a table before us, a banquet a feast. God has great things instore for us, if only we seek his face. He annoints us, blessing us, our cup overflows, our lives full of him, so that we are overflowing and others will see how great God is! He has a plan to prosper us not harm us.
Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. God is good! He's not just a now God or a yesterday God, he's a forever GOD!! Eternal! Always the same:) He's a God of love and mercy, through his mercy we are saved. If we come to him with our lives and ask him in. And we will live with him forever in heaven, a home that he has prepared for us :)
He can satisfy all our needs! bring us happiness:D we can have his presence with us each and every day! Amen :) xx
So I have looked at it over again and have been blessed at what God has been telling me through this scripture.
God is our shepherd, we are his sheep, he looks after us and out for us all the time! WE are his and HE is ours. We shall not want for anything, because he provides us with all that we need. The world has lots of things to offer and tempt us, but all are temporary no real substance, nothing that will last. Gods gifts are eternal!!!! :)
He makes me lie down in green pastures, I picture a serene place of rest, a luscious green pasture of grass, healthy and green, growing, flourishing. A place where we can find peace and relax and find comfort. Leads us beside the still waters, peaceful, quiet, clean and pure waters, refreshing, flowing. He leads the way and shows us where to go. It's up to us if we follow.
He restores my soul if we ask him to come into our hearts and lives, he forgives our sins. He died on the cross for us, gave his life, the ultimate sacrifice, so that we can be restored. He wants to make us whole, restored,renewed, complete in him! He heals our broken hearts and lives and transforms us into new creations in him. :)
He guides us in paths, he's with us each and every step of the way, he's always there!!! He walks with us and talks with us, and is there in all circumstances good and bad! He leads us when we seek his face, through prayer and reading his word, as we work on our relationship with him we become more like him :)
Even though we may be walking through shadows and dark circumstances, we need not fear, he knows all about it and he's there with us. All we need to do is trust in him, he's protecting us because we are his. He sends his Holy Spirit to bring us comfort in hard times. He loves us!
He has prepared a table before us, a banquet a feast. God has great things instore for us, if only we seek his face. He annoints us, blessing us, our cup overflows, our lives full of him, so that we are overflowing and others will see how great God is! He has a plan to prosper us not harm us.
Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. God is good! He's not just a now God or a yesterday God, he's a forever GOD!! Eternal! Always the same:) He's a God of love and mercy, through his mercy we are saved. If we come to him with our lives and ask him in. And we will live with him forever in heaven, a home that he has prepared for us :)
He can satisfy all our needs! bring us happiness:D we can have his presence with us each and every day! Amen :) xx
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Giving thanks :)
Reading for today 1Thess5v18 Give thanks in all circumstances for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.
Easy to say and to sing I guess, but not as easy to put into practise........ why??? because life is hard! sometimes often times all the time or just now and again........ regardless of how much or what it is that makes it hard, whether heartache or hurt, illness or problems, worries or stress and strains lifes no bed of roses. but........... God asks that we give him thanks whatever it is we're going through, it's his will that we do this!
So why should we? what can we gain by doing so? more importantly what does God gain? well God wants us to center our thoughts and lives on him! 2 live for him to give him glory in all we do and after all doesn't he deserve our very best? While we were still in sin he died for us! he lay down his life. He has made us new creations, new beings transformed filled with his Holy Spirit, We are God's chosen people now isn't that a reason to give thanks:) We are joint heirs with Christ. Collosians 3 the end bit, do everything with grattitude its God were serving!
If we give thanks we lift our own spirits as well as blessing God , we look to him Psalm I will lift my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord maker of heaven and earth...... we are able to move on from whatever it is that we are going through, to make progress, to reach our full potential in God, to fullfill his promises and purposes he has for us!
It dont matter what we've done, what's happened what's gone has gone, God forgives and moves on so can we. :) Today is what matters and as for me and mine I'm gonna give God my best! Give thanks even though I don't feel like it, even if it hurts, after all Christ has suffered far more for me when he gave his life for me so that I can be saved!! :)
Easy to say and to sing I guess, but not as easy to put into practise........ why??? because life is hard! sometimes often times all the time or just now and again........ regardless of how much or what it is that makes it hard, whether heartache or hurt, illness or problems, worries or stress and strains lifes no bed of roses. but........... God asks that we give him thanks whatever it is we're going through, it's his will that we do this!
So why should we? what can we gain by doing so? more importantly what does God gain? well God wants us to center our thoughts and lives on him! 2 live for him to give him glory in all we do and after all doesn't he deserve our very best? While we were still in sin he died for us! he lay down his life. He has made us new creations, new beings transformed filled with his Holy Spirit, We are God's chosen people now isn't that a reason to give thanks:) We are joint heirs with Christ. Collosians 3 the end bit, do everything with grattitude its God were serving!
If we give thanks we lift our own spirits as well as blessing God , we look to him Psalm I will lift my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord maker of heaven and earth...... we are able to move on from whatever it is that we are going through, to make progress, to reach our full potential in God, to fullfill his promises and purposes he has for us!
It dont matter what we've done, what's happened what's gone has gone, God forgives and moves on so can we. :) Today is what matters and as for me and mine I'm gonna give God my best! Give thanks even though I don't feel like it, even if it hurts, after all Christ has suffered far more for me when he gave his life for me so that I can be saved!! :)
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