What ever you want me to do, I’ll do for you!

How often are we asked a question and give a response as forthgiving as Jonathan’s response in 1 Samuel Ch 20v 4 ?

And Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it for you.”

Here we read about David’s difficulties and Jonathan’s dilemma. Saul is NOT HAPPY with David and has some kind of personality disorder throughout his relationship with David. On several occasions he tries to kill him.

Jonathan as we read loves David but at the same time Honors his father. Jonathan   makes a covenent with David and David agrees! They simply make a decision to stand by each other, no matter what the cost!

It says in 1 Sam  ch 20 v 17 ‘And Jonathan made David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself!’

What confidence and security!

We have to remember that Jonathan would have been the next King however he knew that David was annointed to be King and take his place!

What stuff would he have to have dealt with? Jealousy, envy, selfish ambition?

 But no, he chose to submitt and be like Christ! This to me is a shadow of what was to come. Jesus himself taught this same instruction. ‘To love your neighbour as yourself.

These words when spoken can seem so easy to say but to live out in the various circumstances can be a different story!

So how was Jonathan able to show such love and kindness?

• He knew how to be intimate with David which reflects his intimacy with God.
• He put others before himself
• He knew the importance of honoring

The love of God, which is his character and who He is we see outworked in their relationship. This to me shows that Jonathan had a knowledge of the living God, not just in words but in actions. He  would have read scriptures and kept these words within his heart, and at this point when he needed God the most we see the Grace and love of God outworked through him, for God’s purposes.

Can you imagine how Jonathan would have felt at times? But he chose to put thoses feelings aside and serve! He put others before himself. He was confident in his relationship and knew what God thought of him. He was secure and able to trust even thought he didn’t know the outcome.

Jonathan later dies besides his father. How sad! but wait it’s not finished their.

We read in 2 Sam ch 9 v 1

‘David asked, is there anyone still left of the house of saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’

Jonathan’s faith was still outworking through King David! He was repaying the honour and love of Jonathan. We then see a broken man named Mephibosheth brought to the King’s Table and rewards are beyond anything he could have dreamed of. When entering the King’s presence v 6 it says that Mephibosheth bowed down to pay him honour.

He (sorry but it takes ages to right his name) then receives a reward to sit at the Kings table and ate like one of the king’s sons! All of the land was restored to him and he enjoyed such abundance.

This was the reward of honoring that Jonathan had seen and was being outworked through David into the next generation. Notice the words that Ziba (Saul’s servant)says:

‘Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do’

WOW! it’s payback time, the same words that Jonathan had declared to David was returning to Jonathan’s son! Jonathan had put his life on the word of God and now it was returning back to the next generation!

The bibe says that God’s word does not return void, when we  sow the word of God into our lives and lalow him to outwork his plans and purposes we see remarkable results.

Choose today to lay your life down for others and build generationally by making an oath with your God;

Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you!

 

 

 

Ask or think

God is willing, so often we hear that phrase but how deep in our hearts does it actually go? or maybe our ‘thick’ skulls delay the process in allowing it to pass through into our minds and transform our thinking?

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”
Ephesians 3:20

In this scripture it is clear that God is not only willing but more than able, yet we can doubt the ability of Almighty God, the one who created the heavens and the earth, who knows you better than you know yourself.

To me this makes it sound clear and simple-ASK!

‘Well’ your thinking ‘I’ve already asked’. 

When we ask someone for something there is a way in which we do this, with sincerity of heart and belief in why you are asking. We’ve all been there when we’ve demanded a new pair of trainers or the latest bike from  a parent or adult. Sometimes it came off and other times it was a flop!

Every parent wants to see their child happy and to meet their needs, but how many of us want to give them abundance? I know what your thinking now! You’ll spoil them rotten! Not true if they ask correctly and out of a sincere heart.

Complaining and nagging never got the Isralites anywhere, but God still met their needs, over and above! God knew their hearts and still provided, that’s his character, Jehovah Jireh!

In matthew 7 v 7 the word ‘ask‘ is descibed as  a request to someone in higher authority such as a parent, king or begger to someone with substance. This type of asking is a persitant asking but not complaining.

When we postion ourselves in relationship to our father in heaven and truly know him as father, king and a loving God we begin by faith to release and live in the abundance that he promises. We give thanks for his promise and faithfullness, and enter into his presence!

The scipture also states that we can also ‘think’. When we focused as previouisly stated on our relationship with our father and his promises our mind is renewed by the washing of His word.

Some of our previous relationships or still ongoing relationships can cause us to have wrong views of God if we base our image of God on our bad experiences of life. When we fix our eyes on Jesus he is able to perfect our faith and we see the outworking of his word in our lives.

Eventhough the view we have in asking can be one looking up to God as one in higher authority, this too can cause us to see ourselves as a little person, which compared to Almighty God is true, we must also see that God is with us.

Emmanuel- God is with us, his power is outworking in us! This blows my mind, let alone renews it. The God who created the Heavens and the earth put himself in you! All of his fullness, how generous and kind! He gave everything for you.

When we ask or think on his abundance it says that ‘according’  to the power it works in us. When we act by faith he goes before us and provides, he takes out our enemies and smashes strongholds.

I want to encourage you to ask, to step out and know that he is with you and willing!

Believe and go for it.

Or go for it and believe.

Whichever way move and he moves! He is more than willing!

 

Did God really say?

Did God really say?  Interesting challenge on the character of God. From the beginning the relationship between man and God has always been challellenged. God’s people are always challenged on their relationship with the living God. We have an enemy that comes to steal, kill and destroy. The parable of the sower is a pictoral example of how the truth of God is planted within our hearts but the enemy comes to take it away. It also shows how the challenges of life can also cause it to be unfruitable.

What we hear with our hearts is vital if we are to have a fruitful, life giving resource for others to drink from.

Proverbs 4 v 23  Above all else, guard your heart,for it is the well spring of lie.

When we have revelation of God’s goodness within our hearts we must be determined to hold onto the truth. Many people will speak into or over our lives but it is God’s image in us that we must continually be fixed on.  When we listen to preaching or the average jo in the street we must ensure when listening that it only comfirms that which we had already heard God say or lines up with the written word.. Just as Adam and Eve were challenged on God’s word, we too will always be challenged to hold onto what God actually said.

The problem I believe  with many chritsians is that they never heard God in the first place. It is no good trying to hold onto something that somebody else said, it must be a personal revelation that can be focused on at any point- this life giving source, the Bread of life, the one who sustains, overcomes, breaks down strongholds and raises the dead is what causes a person to live a life in abundance.

 

I encourage any person to dig into the word of God, through his grace ask him to speak to you, reveal himself and allow him into your heart. As we listen and fix our eyes on Him daily then we are sure to hold onto and become all we were designed to be.

If you are discourraged then I encourage you to fix your eyes on what God actually said to you in the beginning, what character of God was revealed to you? If your not sure then ask him to speak! do whatever it takes to find him!

In the old testament when God appeared they would build an alter to remember God.  Today we can build an alter, not physically but within our hearts and mind. We are to fix our eyes on a revelation and hold steadfast to what God said. This is not a dead piece of stone but a living stone!

Jesus is often questioned on who He is. He is never changed by people’s opinions and beliefs,  He is true to the one whom his eyes are fixed on-His father.

We too will be challenged to be someone we are not! It is important that we remain true to our hearts and simply be ourselves.

Psalm 41 v 12 In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence for ever.

Our integrity and right standing with God is challenged but when we fix our eyes on Jesus and follow this with correct actions we see his presence in our lives!

You are in right standing with God!

You are accepted in the beloved

He’s well pleased with you

Your an unstoppable force!

His goodness goes on and on…..

Keep your eyes fixed on his promises and learn to enjoy the ride!

Real faith

I love the faith of the centurion in Matthew Ch 8. Here is recalled an event where a centurion soldier is asking Jesus for help, not for himself but for someone else who is suffering. The centurion then goes on to say that he doesn’t deserve to have Jesus come into his house but just say the word!

Jesus’ response to the people following was that he had not seen great faith like this amongst his people.

So what was operating in this man’s life to exert such great faith?

• He understood the principle of honouring (very powerful)

We here at Bethel City Church are very busy, and it is important to delegate people with responsibilites and authority, notice that I stated delegate as all authority is given from God! If the pastor had to do everything then he wouldn’t be able to operate effectively!

Jesus was very busy and the centurion had recognised his authority. He didn’t want to take up any of his precious time, but all it needed was his command as he had ultimate authority: if he said it it would be done! We need to grasp the principle of doing all that we can to support and follow those who lead us.

Here we see him reverencing Jesus, putting him in his place of honour. But how had he learned this?

• he had learned to serve!

The centurion was a man under authority, he had also others under him. He had been promoted at some point from the place of serving someone above him. We need to understand that we have to start somewhere-just take a step and serve to the best of your ability!

Through serving others he had earned his reward, his heart was right towards them above and below! He respected those who served him as well as those he served!

Jesus said that if you want to be great in His Kingdom then you need to serve!

The challenge with our society today is that we live in a democracy where evryone has a say! Where everyone  is taught to have a right and an opinion, that they should be treated as an equal! We here this evrywhere.

The difference with Christianity is that it has kingdom principles. There is a King who has authority and he delegates authority to those under him. If we followed this chain then we would recieve the reward that Jesus promises.

Jesus’ word is sufficent for any situation or circumstance. The Centurion was outworking the commands of God within his life, they were so natural to him, kept within his heart- the word of God was working. He had learned to honour!

I believe when we serve and honour those around us then it releases the power and presence of God: You are building our lives on the word of God and seeing them outworked through our lives.

Faith in the word of God was being outworked!

Make the most of every opportunity!Learn to open doors.

Doors are something we go through right?-You agree? Wrong, they’re something we have to open so that we can pass through an opening.

You can’t walk through a solid object-scientific proof. I believe that many people see obstacles and see them as a restriction and convince themselves that they are unable to achieve or succeed to a level that makes them the best in their field.

We need to undertsand that obstacles can be removed aslong as we are prepared to face them head on (not literally head butting door)and use pressure to create movement.

Here are some of my tips when faced with tackling doors!

1. Check what the sign says on the door before entering. This is also about focusing on what you want to achieve and what is most beneficial for you. No good reading all the time if you want to improve your writing.

2. See little doors that lead to bigger ones. Never despise opportunities as it may be a link to the next opportunity or the right training to get you into the next position.

3.Doors need pushing, some doors are heavier than others! This is important as we need to understand that we are all: learning, need training and the bigger the task the more work is needed. If you want to big things happen then work big and become bigger.

4. Pushing is needed to strengthen you and give you the stamina to walk the distance! Pressure is designed to force out of you what is really in! Honesty can be a key when reflecting on performance to help you achieve the next level. It’s not the test that counts but your reaction and choices after!

4.Movement or momentum is needed to reach the nest door. Don’t stop just becauise you have the opportunbity but cover all grab, stretch out your tent and conquer the land-Be the best!

5. If the door is locked you need the key-Sometimes doors don’t open maybe because we were pushing in the wrong direction? Maybe you need extra strength or wisdom in opening the door. Prayer is often a key when faced with battles but you know you have to overcome. Stay focused on what God says and seek him until you see breakthrough

Now there’s no stopping you! When you’ve learnt to open one door you’ll  know how to open many more!

Keep your eyes open and make the most of evry opportunity. Remember all hard work brings a profit!

Learning to stand

Been thinking this week about the movement my child makes. She is beginning to stand on her own two feet! How awesome is that. She has observed, tested and attempted the what seems simple task to you and me;to stand on her own ! we can take this for granted as we have been doing this skill automatically for many years as we have grown up.
Maybe as believers there is a very simple but profound learning here that we need to take note of if we are to mature.

Firstly we must know what it is to learn from others: people with a proven track record, whom are bearing fruit and producing people of strength and correct character. as we get along side these type of people we are able to observe and learn foundational truths.
Secondly, you have to have a go; it’s no good sitting around waiting, there must come a point when you use the strength and know-how you have and GO FOR IT!

Last of all, be prepared to fall or fail now and again. Part of the process of standing is learning to get back up after a knock, bruise or even a cut. Knock backs and difficulties are a part of life. being a christian doesn’t get rid of these trials, God simply gives you the strength and wisdom to overcome.
Now you learnt to stand you can get ready to walk!

Movement of God

Why are people so scared of movement? In order for the church to change surely their must be movement?

 A bee is so small but often people react so irrationally when approached by one. Is it the sting that causes the threat? Maybe? I believe it is the speed of creatures that often causes us to react the way we do.  Most small spiders are harmless yet their rapid movement makes us jump onto the sofa! A slug is definitely less attractive yet we glance over them with little interest.

Why? sluggishness!

Maybe the world haven’t noticed the church because of the unattractiveness and the lack of movement towards the need of the community? Just a thought. I believe laziness (feeling tired, excuses) is a tactic  that robs us of bringing heaven to earth. However the spirit of God is designed to overcome, it is inexhaustible and untameable.

You catch ?

Jesus himself declares that ‘ The wind blows wherever it pleases’ This not only speaks of linear movement but of a liquid movement, freely moving. When you spill water it goes wherever it wishes, when God pours out his spirit……….

enough said!

He then goes on to say ‘ You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the spirit’

There is a sound that comes from God’s people, a God given gift from within! It cannot be tamed! It is designed to live freely. The logical mind of man and his institutional way of thinking can often try to work out God’s ways but no one knows where it is going.

Movement can be scary but it can also be the most exhilarating journey not knowing where you’re going.

Along with a sound,  movement is what causes people to notice. It is their choice to how they react. YOU make a choice to move!

Remember what Jesus said ‘ you cannot tell.      ……..so it is with everyone born of the spirit’

I ask the question sometimes are people are actually born of the spirit? The journey of faith is one of excitement. Learn to let go and flow! When people volunteer and give freely then we begin to see the Church mobilized.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.(rev 2 v11)

New beginnings

Here at BCC we believe in loving people for who they are and inspiring them to be all that they can be. The bible shows us a God who loves people where they are at: for all their faults and failings, however he never leaves them to stay fixed on their insecurities or failings but inspires them with a promise to be all that they can be when they throw themselves on an awesome God who is for them.

Today is a new beginning for me here at BCC; I have starting on staff full time! Many people think that new beginnings are all about feeling good, but life can be full of mixed feelings and insecurities when change comes about. We are called to rise about the challenges of life, face them head-on at times and often stand our ground.

Gideon, David, Moses, and many more mighty warriors faced new beginnings and would have had mixed emotions. However they didn’t focus on themselves but on the endless possibilities and future hope that their God promised.

I am very excited about the future of BCC. We are constantly changing, producing new opportunities, developing and being the church we are designed to be.

The futures bright!

I would like to encourage you not to stay the same but to make a choice to be all that you can be. Change can be uncomfortable at times so learn to be comfortable in the process of change and rest in Him.

Take your first step, what ever that may be? and learn to enjoy the ride!

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