Month: April 2014

In this week’s teaching we continue our look a the different kinds of prayer and the rules that apply to increase their effectiveness.

Spontaneous prayer is, of itself, a good thing. But, prayer should not just be treated as a slapdash affair. It actually requires thought, effort and study, as James puts it, to be: “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working.” Jam 5:16(b)

Jesus himself demonstrated a clear thought out process when the disciples came asking him to teach them “How to Pray.”

The reasons that many people don’t pray are usually: 1 they don’t get answers to their prayers. So, as a result 2 they get despondent and see no purpose in prayer.Or, they 3 feel confused by not knowing whether or not what they are asking for, in prayer, is in line with God’s will.

To be effective in prayer we need to know 1 What our motive is. 2 What God may have already had to say about the subject of our prayer. 3 Can we apply the Love test to the prayer. Then, 4 are we confident and applying Faith to the prayer.

As James says: “you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss,”

If this was happening in the early church, it is more likely to be happening in the church today.

To download this message right click on the following link and save the file to your directory of choice:     

Effective Prayer

As promised you will find the Love Confession sheet by clicking on the following link. Use the same instructions for downloading as for the recording file:

The Love Confession

Unlike other cultures and other religions Christians do not have a dead prophet; a dead leader or founder. As a matter of fact Christianity, true Christianity is not a religion at all. Religions have been made out of Christianity, but it is more a nature; a nationality; than an empty set of rituals and rules.

Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, significant enough to be noted by Josephus the Jewish historian and by Philo the Greek historian, to name but two, lived. He was known to be an honourable man; a teacher and a prophet; reputed to have performed miracles and also cause a disturbance in Jerusalem. He was executed, as an innocent man, in the fashion of the worst of criminals. He died and was buried among the rich, in a borrowed tomb. 

But, the thing that makes this tale different to all of the other mythologies and philosophies out in the mix is the fact that after fulfilling the religious period to be declared officially dead, Jesus rose from the dead and showed himself to a large contingent of his followers for 40 days before his ascension; not as a ghost; but as a fully resurrected and glorified man.

At the meal that is referred to as “The Last Supper” Jesus informed his disciples that he was establishing a “New and Better Covenant.” Since his resurrection he has been alive to ensure that that new covenant is both fulfilled and its promises enforced for those who will only believe and live by faith.

As the final part of this series on “A New and Better Covenant”  the scriptural keys  to beginning to understand the principles that inform and support this new covenant relationship. A relationship that is available to anyone who will simply accept it and say yes; to accept the opportunity to become part of the covenant of strong friendship as a member of God’s very own family.

To download this message right click on the following link and save to whatever location you desire on your own computer. Or, simply click on the link and allow it to stream using the built in player.

I pray that it will be a blessing to you and your whole family.

Christ Is Risen – He Is Risen Indeed

 

 

Good Friday: April 18: 3.00pm:

What Really Happened at the Cross?

Many Christians have spent time at Good Friday services around the globe year after year. A priest, who is a good friend of mine told me once “There would be enough splinters and relics of the ‘true cross’ to make a forrest.” They have heard the story of Jesus betrayal, conviction and execution many times over. As a result many have stopped listening; switched off.

The thing that is key to understanding what really happened there on the cross at Golgotha, Jerusalem’s midden heap; the place of the skull; is the focus on those words of Jesus: “It is Finished!”

What had finished? What had been accomplished? With his execution his disciples were scattered; disheartened and fearful for their  own lives. Sure that they would probably be next, Jesus’ death stunned them all.

“Like a lamb to the slaughter” Jesus was silent throughout the torture. We are told that he was so bruised, beaten and emaciated that he no longer looked human hanging there on the tree; upon the Roman implement of execution reserved for the most heinous of criminals.

What laws, promises, prophecies and rituals did jesus fulfil there; abandoned by the Father himself?  What part did Jesus’ crucifixion play in the establishment of the New Covenant?

Stripped completely naked, without the smallest thread of dignity left to him. His mother, his younger brother and a woman he had saved from being stoned by a mob, were all that remained of his followers at the foot of his crucified body upon that implement of a torturous death.

This message is now available for download by right clicking the link and saving the file to your preferred location on your computer. Or, by simply clicking on the link it will play in the open window.

What Really Happened at the Cross?

Easter Services:

Good Friday: April 18: 3.00pm:

What Really happened at the Cross?

***********

Resurrection Sunday: 3.00pm:

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Everyone is Welcome

This Message is the first part of the Easter Cycle.

We look at the significance of the actions of Jesus over the period leading up to

Good Friday and beyond.

What is a covenant?

Why are Covenants still important?

Why the Lamb?

How did Jesus fulfil the requirements of the old covenant?

To download this message right click on the link and save to the file of your choice:

This New Covenant

“Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. Casting all your cares on him. Because he Cares for You.” 1Peter 5: 6-10

We need to remember that it is always God, Our Father’s desire to fulfil the desires of our heart; if those desires are in line with his will.

This message is a lifesaver for those who will learn its principles. A lifesaver because if we as believers learn to cast, or commit our cares and worries to God and learn to rest in his peace the effects of fear, worry and impatience will be dissipated; the physical and mental turmoil that can lead to physical illness and disease need not be a dominating force in and on our lives.

This form of prayer helps you to learn discipline by learning to leave those cares, once cast into the hands of the Lord, right there in his hands; allowing Him to deal with them as we have asked.

We look at the importance of maintaining a positive confession about our life and our circumstances. As well as looking at where the real battle in our lives takes place.

To download this message right click on the following link and save the file to where you would like it on your computer. Or, you can listen to it streamed via the web page.

 Prayer of Commitment

As promised I have prepared a page of Personal Confessions that can be used to change the way you speak and think about what God has to say about you as a believer. It is a good thing to pray the word of God over your own life. This same set of confessions can be used to pray over loved ones, children and others. May they be a blessing to you.   Personal Confessions