Category: Destiny

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The Coming of Jesus in our Midst

Behold I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to them and eat with them, and they we me. 
Revelation 3:20

When early Christianity spoke of the return of the Lord Jesus, they thought of the great day of judgement – not a very Christmasy thought. But they were on point. When you hear Jesus knocking our conscience ought to be asking the question – Are you prepared? Is our heart capable of becoming God’s dwelling place?

This Advent season is a time of self-examination – it reminds of the first coming of Christ but also the second and final coming, and that ought to make us tremble. Continue reading “The Coming of Jesus in our Midst”

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Free to live by the Spirit

Paul in the letter to the Galatians makes the statement that “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1), emphasising the point he has previously made about the nature of ‘Christian being’.  His point is, we are free and not bound by law because of the freeing work of Jesus. Freedom is the nature of the Kingdom of God. We are free from the punishment we deserve because of the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. That freedom however does not give us a right to live lawlessly.

Paul in Galatians tells the reader that by submitting to one law obligates you to all the law. If you break just one law you have broken every law. This why Paul says following the law is being a slave to the law. Continue reading “Free to live by the Spirit”

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Giving God Something to Work With 

In a recent blog by Steve Backlund (Igniting Hope Ministries) he focuses on an important aspect of God’s methods for achieving His purposes that resonates with me, that is, that God is always partnering with people to accomplish His will. I’ve included excerpts of the blog for you to consider in todays pastoral letter. 

  • Steve goes on to say ……  While in some instances God specifically directs a person’s course of action, many times a believer’s own ideas and initiative actually spark a move of God. Consider these two stories:
    Jonathan and his armor-bearer in 1 Samuel 14:6
    “Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few’”.

Jonathan said, “It may be that the Lord will work for us.” He had no direct word from God at the beginning, but his actions led to a powerful conquest. Continue reading “Giving God Something to Work With “

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What defines you?

This question is not necessarily one that comes to mind on a daily basis but it is a question that rises up from time to time as you do life as you read the scriptures asking Holy Spirit to reveal new treasures with the the old. At least that is what I have discovered.

This week gone by has been just such a week. It began with the funeral of our friend and sister in Christ – Beth Strako who didn’t want a eulogy at her funeral. She didn’t want a eulogy to define her life – those who would attend would already know her story and what mattered to her. The week proceeded, it was busy with all sorts of things – moment by moment choices needed to be made on what mattered. Friday was the Gospel concert offered to us by the Johnstone River Singers – we had made a choice to let life, joy, song, and community define us and not fear, death, lose and isolation. The funeral was more than a funeral – the concert more than a concert. Continue reading “What defines you?”

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Having Done All I Know to Do, I Stand

Steve Backlund in his book Victorious Mindsets hits on something that speaks into the global circumstances of the day and also speaks into our personal circumstances. When I read it again I could not help think that his words based on personal revelation and born out of experience of believing in a good God provides for us both a posture and belief that will help us not only withstand our circumstances but also thrive. It is so easy to be so overcome and drained by unresolved situations that we whither, withdraw from the fight, and even break. Steve Backlund, says the way he faces unresolved situations is ….                   

Having Done All I Know to Do, I Stand

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).  Continue reading “Having Done All I Know to Do, I Stand”