G’day and welcome to Partakers Christian Podcasts! Join us for uplifting Bible teaching, inspiring readings, heartfelt worship, powerful prayers, and fascinating church history. Whether you’re new to faith or growing deeper in your journey, we’re here to encourage and equip you. 🎧 Tune in, interact, and be inspired—wherever you are in the world.
Episodes
Friday Aug 14, 2015
Friday Aug 14, 2015
Partakers Friday Prayers!
14th August 2015
We pray together and when Christians pray together, from different nations, different churches and different denominations - that reveals Church unity! Come! Let us pray together!
We commend to you, O Lord,
Our souls and our bodies,
Our minds and our thoughts,
Our prayers and our hopes,
Our health and our work,
Our life and our death;
Our parents and brothers and sisters,
Our benefactors and friends,
Our neighbours, our countrymen,
And all Christian folk,
This day and always.
Amen.
A prayer of Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626), Bishop of Winchester
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Wednesday Aug 12, 2015
Wednesday Aug 12, 2015
Dave has asked me to write and record some podcasts, starting with a general one on how the internet helps me in my faith. That’s a really great question, but at first I didn’t know where to start! I have a number of health problems which keep me largely housebound. Thanks to the Internet though, I am part of WOWChurch, where we have church services and prayer meetings on Facebook, and I even help lead services when I am well enough.
Though I am part of a traditional church set up, many weeks I am unable to attend due to either illness, disability or lack of energy. Many of my friends in wowchurch (started by Dave) have a similar predicament to me but for many different reasons, including being hurt by other Christians and/or churches in the past, mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, or lack of safe, affordable transport or myriad other reasons. Unfortunately, in my case, being unable to get to church, or even to leave the house for days or weeks increased my feelings of isolation and loneliness, and of bring ‘different’ to others my age.
Thanks to the internet, though I can listen to podcasts and therefore still access biblically based resources. (The Partakers ones are especially helpful!) including ‘Monday Think Spot and Tuesday's reading of the Psalms, or I can read daily devotionals. Some of my favourite are written by Joni-Eareckson-Tada, Christian author, speaker, and artist, who has been serving Jesus faithfully for years despite some of the most severe disability you can think of. Other sites I use include Bible Gateway, to look up bible verses, which is much easier for me than trying to hold a traditional bible without dropping it, and I can keep in touch with fellow Christians through social media including those in the Church I go to, all from my smartphone, even while confined to bed. This is of course providing I don’t do something silly like lock myself out of my phone, as I did recently!
One of the best things about keeping in touch with friends, and often people also involved in WOWChurch is I can use it to encourage other people so I am helping to make a difference to their lives too. Talking to others about what’s going on in their lives allows for the influence of different perspectives which allows my own sense of perspective to deepen. This includes both those in a similar situation, and those facing entirely different circumstances to myself.
This is so important because it helps me to see life in a more positive way, to learn from people who have had completely different experiences to me. and also allows feelings of isolation to lift a little. Often the effects of this honest kind of friendship run deeper. Seeing others’ faith blossom has encouraged me to grow in my own faith, being determined to be disciplined about regular bible reading and prayer. My friendships with people I have met online do not stop there however… they have the potential to last into eternity. The wonderful thing is I know for certain that one day I will meet friends face-to-face in heaven (if not before!).
A word of warning is necessary though. It is important that we regulate our use of the internet, even though for helpful purposes, and do not neglect 'alone time with God’ spent in personal bible study and prayer. Solitude is vital, as it helps us learn to talk to God, away from distractions, to come away from noise and busyness and to rest, fully refreshed and ready to serve others again.
I once shared my testimony via a podcast, a couple of years ago now. Jackie
Though I am part of a traditional church set up, many weeks I am unable to attend due to either illness, disability or lack of energy. Many of my friends in wowchurch (started by Dave) have a similar predicament to me but for many different reasons, including being hurt by other Christians and/or churches in the past, mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, or lack of safe, affordable transport or myriad other reasons. Unfortunately, in my case, being unable to get to church, or even to leave the house for days or weeks increased my feelings of isolation and loneliness, and of bring ‘different’ to others my age.
Thanks to the internet, though I can listen to podcasts and therefore still access biblically based resources. (The Partakers ones are especially helpful!) including ‘Monday Think Spot and Tuesday's reading of the Psalms, or I can read daily devotionals. Some of my favourite are written by Joni-Eareckson-Tada, Christian author, speaker, and artist, who has been serving Jesus faithfully for years despite some of the most severe disability you can think of. Other sites I use include Bible Gateway, to look up bible verses, which is much easier for me than trying to hold a traditional bible without dropping it, and I can keep in touch with fellow Christians through social media including those in the Church I go to, all from my smartphone, even while confined to bed. This is of course providing I don’t do something silly like lock myself out of my phone, as I did recently!
One of the best things about keeping in touch with friends, and often people also involved in WOWChurch is I can use it to encourage other people so I am helping to make a difference to their lives too. Talking to others about what’s going on in their lives allows for the influence of different perspectives which allows my own sense of perspective to deepen. This includes both those in a similar situation, and those facing entirely different circumstances to myself.
This is so important because it helps me to see life in a more positive way, to learn from people who have had completely different experiences to me. and also allows feelings of isolation to lift a little. Often the effects of this honest kind of friendship run deeper. Seeing others’ faith blossom has encouraged me to grow in my own faith, being determined to be disciplined about regular bible reading and prayer. My friendships with people I have met online do not stop there however… they have the potential to last into eternity. The wonderful thing is I know for certain that one day I will meet friends face-to-face in heaven (if not before!).
A word of warning is necessary though. It is important that we regulate our use of the internet, even though for helpful purposes, and do not neglect 'alone time with God’ spent in personal bible study and prayer. Solitude is vital, as it helps us learn to talk to God, away from distractions, to come away from noise and busyness and to rest, fully refreshed and ready to serve others again.
I once shared my testimony via a podcast, a couple of years ago now. Jackie
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Wednesday Aug 12, 2015
Wednesday Aug 12, 2015
Worship Wednesday
Order of Service
Welcome
-
Prayer
-
Song - Jesus Loves Me
-
Bible Reading 1 Psalm 119:41
-
Bible Reading 2 John 14:21
-
Bible Talk - God's Love and you!
-
Time for your own prayers
-
Doxology
Bible Readings
Old Testament Reading: Psalm 119:41 Lord, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me
New Testament Reading: John 14:21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.
Bible Talk
God is Love
The world is in love, with love! Love sells everything! But what, or rather, who, started love? God did! The Bible tells the story of this God of love and we are going to very briefly in our time together talk about this great subject! Perhaps more books are written about the love of God than anything else! How is God love? God is a trinity or tri-unity! That is, God is a living, vibrant and dynamic community of love! Every activity of the Trinity is an expression of love. God loves because that is His very nature. God the Father loves God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God rhe Son loves God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. God the Holy Spirit loves both God the Father and God the Son. A perfect community of love.Description of God's Love
God's Love is described throughout the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation! Here is a very brief description of it: Unfailing! Everlasting! Intimate! Sacrificial! Unbreakable! All-conquering! Personal! Great! Immeasurable! All knowing!How is God's love seen?
It is seen supremely in the Cross of Jesus Christ, when He died for the sins of the world. Supreme love overcoming all that is not love. It is seen in the love that people have for others. When you hold somebody's hand or give that telephone call just to say hello - that is love. Even with all the acts of evil in the world, love is all around. You can see it at the arrival halls of airports where family members meet each other. You can see it in the cafes where friends meet for conversation. You can see it as couples get married. Love exists even in the middle of that chaos, turmoil and hatred.Yes there are people filled with hatred and commit acts of unmitigated evil - but even those people have experienced love of some kind despite their not remembering it, being aware of it or even in spite of it! Even if it was the guiding hand of their parents to alert them from danger or the greeting of a close friend. Going further, the love of God is seen when Christians, who proclaim their love of God, love others.
Churches are also to be enabling radical love in their communities! Not a love which is impractical but a love which is self-sacrificing! A love mirroring that of Jesus Christ on the Cross. It is by helping supply the practical needs of others, even to the point when it hurts to give! The supreme way to show you love God is to give to other people - both in the church and outside the church!.
Love is tough!
Love is not wishy-washy though! Love is tough! When Jesus died on the cross, that was tough love as He died. Love involves discipline such as the guidance of a parent stopping their child from putting their hand on a hot pan. Avail yourself of God's love today and more importantly show the love of God to others today! A kind word, a surprise gift or an helpful act! God's love releases us from the things that entangle our daily walk with Him.The more you hold onto His love, the more you will desire it and the more it will be revealed in your daily life. Put your love in action today, reflects God's love in action on the cross. Go and love - to the glory of God! Love not just in words but also in practise! Love all that you meet with practical love showing a loving God in action. By loving others, we help heal this broken world we live in with all its traumas, natural disasters and conflicts. Love! Go! Love!
Silent Prayer
Doxology
Benediction
May the love of God the Father, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, evermore. AmenRight mouse click to save/download this as a MP3 audio file
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Monday Aug 10, 2015
Monday Aug 10, 2015
10th August 2015
Recently I was reading Paul's letter to the Philippians and in particular Chapter 4:8 "Finally brothers whatsoever is true what ever honourable, whatever just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
The night before last we heard in the early hours of the morning the horrendous sound of a howling, powerful wind which was causing insurmountable damage to properties around us. I fully expected to see all kinds of damage to my own property when I woke the following morning. In particular a fence between my house and my neighbour which I am responsible for (I rent the property). I almost didn't dare to look out of my bedroom window early next morning when although still blowing strongly but not at gale strength I was relieved to find the fence still upstanding.
An hour later my neighbour knocked on our front door explaining that her other neighbours fence had blown down and a large tree in her own garden was uprooted and now leaning on the bottom of my fence. They had contacted the Housing Association from whom they rented and presented the problem to them. They were coming to look at the damage later. Proceeding down the garden shortly after I discovered that my large tree , (approx. 4ft across) was now being pushed by the other tree onto my shed. I actually could see the amazing movement of this huge tree swaying from its base at ground level and felt the awesome power of the movement.
Yes I knew something has to be done to improve the situation but as I reflected upon Philippians 4:8; I had indeed something worthy of praise to thank God for and to "think upon" What was that You ask? As I thought about it I saw that the neighbours tree pushing against my fence was actually strengthening it and preventing it from blowing down as if a mighty hand was holding it in position. Indeed it was if we believe in the sovereignty of God in all things. I know things do not always work out like this for any of us but I am simply emphasising the kind of thing we can rejoice and praise God for rather than take things for granted which usually mean we say things like "How lucky I was and pity about the neighbours fence." There is always something we can be thankful to God for and offer praise isn't there? Not forgetting to pray for our neighbour of course.
Dear loving heavenly Father, How wonderful to know that our times are in your hands and that you have amazing resources including knowing us all so intimately that You know our needs before they even arise. From eternity to eternity you know all things. How safe it is for us to trust you and give ourselves fully over to you and praise you for what is past and trust you for what is to come. Forgive our doubts and please calm us down when extremities come upon us. You are fully aware of what is going on in your world. "You see everything nothing is hidden from your eyes"
Hebrews 4:13 - Lord, we feel so helpless at times, so it is comforting for us to know these things and share them with you in prayer for You understand us completely. Amen.
The night before last we heard in the early hours of the morning the horrendous sound of a howling, powerful wind which was causing insurmountable damage to properties around us. I fully expected to see all kinds of damage to my own property when I woke the following morning. In particular a fence between my house and my neighbour which I am responsible for (I rent the property). I almost didn't dare to look out of my bedroom window early next morning when although still blowing strongly but not at gale strength I was relieved to find the fence still upstanding.
An hour later my neighbour knocked on our front door explaining that her other neighbours fence had blown down and a large tree in her own garden was uprooted and now leaning on the bottom of my fence. They had contacted the Housing Association from whom they rented and presented the problem to them. They were coming to look at the damage later. Proceeding down the garden shortly after I discovered that my large tree , (approx. 4ft across) was now being pushed by the other tree onto my shed. I actually could see the amazing movement of this huge tree swaying from its base at ground level and felt the awesome power of the movement.
Yes I knew something has to be done to improve the situation but as I reflected upon Philippians 4:8; I had indeed something worthy of praise to thank God for and to "think upon" What was that You ask? As I thought about it I saw that the neighbours tree pushing against my fence was actually strengthening it and preventing it from blowing down as if a mighty hand was holding it in position. Indeed it was if we believe in the sovereignty of God in all things. I know things do not always work out like this for any of us but I am simply emphasising the kind of thing we can rejoice and praise God for rather than take things for granted which usually mean we say things like "How lucky I was and pity about the neighbours fence." There is always something we can be thankful to God for and offer praise isn't there? Not forgetting to pray for our neighbour of course.
Dear loving heavenly Father, How wonderful to know that our times are in your hands and that you have amazing resources including knowing us all so intimately that You know our needs before they even arise. From eternity to eternity you know all things. How safe it is for us to trust you and give ourselves fully over to you and praise you for what is past and trust you for what is to come. Forgive our doubts and please calm us down when extremities come upon us. You are fully aware of what is going on in your world. "You see everything nothing is hidden from your eyes"
Hebrews 4:13 - Lord, we feel so helpless at times, so it is comforting for us to know these things and share them with you in prayer for You understand us completely. Amen.
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Friday Aug 07, 2015
Friday Aug 07, 2015
Partakers Friday Prayers!
7th August 2015
We pray together and when Christians pray together, from different nations, different churches and different denominations - that reveals Church unity! Come! Let us pray together!
Almighty God,
you have given us grace at this time
with one accord to make our common supplication to you;
and you have promised through your well-beloved Son
that when two or three are gathered
together in his Name
you will be in the midst of them.
Fulfil now, O Lord,
our desires and petitions as may be best for us;
granting us in this world knowledge of your truth,
and in the age to come life everlasting.
Amen.
you have given us grace at this time
with one accord to make our common supplication to you;
and you have promised through your well-beloved Son
that when two or three are gathered
together in his Name
you will be in the midst of them.
Fulfil now, O Lord,
our desires and petitions as may be best for us;
granting us in this world knowledge of your truth,
and in the age to come life everlasting.
Amen.
A prayer of John Chrysostom c347 – 407, Archbishop of Constantinople
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Wednesday Aug 05, 2015
Wednesday Aug 05, 2015
Worship Wednesday
Order of Service
Song - O For A Thousand Tongues!
Lord's Prayer
Bible Talk - My Jesus Part 1
Song - Here Comes Jesus
Bible Talk - My Jesus Part 2
Time for your own prayers
Closing prayers
Bible talk 1
My Jesus
My Jesus is unique, majestic, tender, wise, strong, and lovely. That is my Jesus, whom I seek to serve and obey in every facet of life, every second of every day. I don't always achieve it, but I know that when I fail, I can ask for forgiveness and He will grant it from His wellspring of gracious mercy. Yet another WOW factor about Jesus Christ. It is this Jesus whom I depend upon and personally know to be totally reliable in every way. When people let me down, turn away from me, discourage me, think wrongly off me, incorrectly assume my motives. This Jesus always picks me up, never turns me away always encourages and embraces me. All through each day, I know that Jesus has been dependable, going ahead of me!Amazing! This Jesus who died on a Roman cross two thousand years ago was the same Jesus who was raised from the dead, without decay, into newness of life and ascended to the right hand of the Father. This Jesus is coming back to gather His followers, to Himself. Jesus is coming back, but not as a baby this time. There will be no kitchy-kitchy koo factor.
No! Jesus is coming back with a big WOW Factor as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. What does Jesus look like now? He is described by one of his beloved followers, John in Revelation 1v13-16 Among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. That's the ascended Jesus Christ as portrayed by his friend John! Are you suffering today with some illness or you are in the middle of a period of grief? We all suffer in some way. I had a stroke back in 2003 and recovered. I still get aches and pains. But one day! One day you and I will have perfect bodies. WOW!
And not only that, but this God suffered and died on a cross, so has sympathy for our own suffering while we are in this world! Jesus is coming back and will do the most extraordinary thing. We read about it in Revelation 21:4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Isn't that just the most amazing verse? Picture it! Jesus Christ taking your face in His scarred hands and He will wipe away your tears - tears of suffering and tears of joy. You will say to yourself, it was all worth it - the trials, temptations, sufferings and experiences I have had for the sake of Jesus Christ my Master.
Bible Talk 2
Your Jesus
Who is your Jesus? Are you struggling to make a major decision and don't know what to do. Seek the wisdom of Jesus in making that decision. He will help if you ask. It may well be that you are feeling desolate, abandoned and lonely. Or you are feeling tired, drained, burdened and in need of help. Allow Jesus to give you the strength to endure! Give the burden to Jesus and let Him take the weight for you. Let Jesus wrap you in a warm embrace, encompassing you with loving compassion.Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file
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Monday Aug 03, 2015
Monday Aug 03, 2015
3rd August 2015
As we know as believers in Christ we are not promised in Scripture an easy passage in life only a safe landing. As we have come through the Christmas season where for many the emphasis is on Santa Claus and not Jesus Christ, feasting rather than considering the meagre surroundings in the stable where our saviour was born, the presence of the poor shepherds who were overjoyed at seeing Jesus rather than the extravagant electronic presents being bought to satisfy many youngsters who have little understanding of the value of their gifts and a high expectancy for gifts to outdo their friends and so I could go on.
Christmas for the Believer is so different where the value is seen in God's magnificent gift to undeserving man who although having been poor spiritually is made rich in Christ for eternity. Presents come and go, wanted for a while then cast aside, but what we have in Jesus is something we appreciate for ever.
I was considering John on the Island of Patmos earlier today and his ministry of proclaiming Christ being stopped and his banishment to an Island where he would lose his usefulness as a preacher. Was he downhearted as he began a new life imprisoned on an Island? Was he feeling God had let him down? He had lived an upright life so he was not being punished by God so where was God in all this?
As I considered these things I thought "Wait a minute, John's ministry would be advanced not diminished, as he met with the risen Christ in a vision seeing Him in glory and majestic power awesome power light as well as hearing his voice proclaiming the end times.
This record of this vision would become part of the whole of Scripture Revelation to the whole world over many centuries up to our present times in which we live and for as long as it takes before Jesus returns.
So what seemed to be an end of things for John was really giving John opportunity to receive fresh instruction from God and in writing it down, God has kept it in indelible ink as it were to be a blessing to multitudes of people.
So if the way has dried up for your ministry may be God is going to show you a fresh path to take and a new ministry or a work for you to do in changed circumstances you could not alter. God is never hindered by human opposition so start the new year by believing even more in God's sovereignty in your life and that He has plans for you (Read Jeremiah 1 and see his personal interest in us)
So two things for us to do. Listen more carefully for our Lord's direction and be ready to step out in faith in what cold prove to be a life changing experience.
Christmas for the Believer is so different where the value is seen in God's magnificent gift to undeserving man who although having been poor spiritually is made rich in Christ for eternity. Presents come and go, wanted for a while then cast aside, but what we have in Jesus is something we appreciate for ever.
I was considering John on the Island of Patmos earlier today and his ministry of proclaiming Christ being stopped and his banishment to an Island where he would lose his usefulness as a preacher. Was he downhearted as he began a new life imprisoned on an Island? Was he feeling God had let him down? He had lived an upright life so he was not being punished by God so where was God in all this?
As I considered these things I thought "Wait a minute, John's ministry would be advanced not diminished, as he met with the risen Christ in a vision seeing Him in glory and majestic power awesome power light as well as hearing his voice proclaiming the end times.
This record of this vision would become part of the whole of Scripture Revelation to the whole world over many centuries up to our present times in which we live and for as long as it takes before Jesus returns.
So what seemed to be an end of things for John was really giving John opportunity to receive fresh instruction from God and in writing it down, God has kept it in indelible ink as it were to be a blessing to multitudes of people.
So if the way has dried up for your ministry may be God is going to show you a fresh path to take and a new ministry or a work for you to do in changed circumstances you could not alter. God is never hindered by human opposition so start the new year by believing even more in God's sovereignty in your life and that He has plans for you (Read Jeremiah 1 and see his personal interest in us)
So two things for us to do. Listen more carefully for our Lord's direction and be ready to step out in faith in what cold prove to be a life changing experience.
Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file
~You can now purchase our Partakers books! Please do click or tap here to visit our Amazon site!
Click or tap on the appropriate link below to subscribe, share or download our iPhone App!