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Episodes
Friday Aug 12, 2011
Friday Aug 12, 2011
Partakers Friday Prayers
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Order of Service
1. General Opening prayer
2. Praise!
3. Time for your own praise
4. Prayers for the world
5. Prayers for others
6. Prayers for church services worldwide
7. Time for prayers for your own concerns
8. Benediction
Welcome to Partakers Friday Prayers on Friday, 12th of August, 2011. Let us pray together!Opening Prayer
Father, as we commence, let our hearts and minds be right before you. We thank for your Son Jesus. It's in His name we offer you these praises, prayers and petitions in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside those who are your children. AmenPsalm 11
In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face. Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Christ has risen! The Spirit has come! Praise you, God! Amen!Time to offer your own praises to God!
Alleluia Father God, accept these praises as sweet smelling perfume! Amen!Prayers for the World!
Father, we bring before you the recent events in England – the riots and civil unrest. May justice rule and peace reign. Help those in authority to use imagination and creativity to solve the underlying problems. Where there is hurt may there be healing. Where there is injustice, may justice prevail. Where there is pain, may there be comfort. Where there is chaos, bring order. Where there is hatred, may love be sown. We lift to you once more, Father, the people affected by the drought in the Horn of Africa. Father, help the aid being sent to reach its destination instead of being stopped by insurgents and war-mongers. Father, be the strength for all those who are grieving and mourning the loss of loved ones. Father, we pray that those in despair will be helped and where there is darkness there will be light. May justice and peace come to places where injustice, strife and conflict currently dominate! Where there is chaos, bring order. Where there is hatred, may love be sown. We pray that in areas of need following natural disasters, that aid will get through and infrastructure rebuilt. Lord in your mercy, hear these prayers of your children! Amen!For churches and Christians worldwide
Our Father God, we lift before you all those who are preaching, leading, serving and participating in church services around the world this weekend, we ask that the Holy Spirit would guide their minds and that the worship will be in Spirit and in truth, that the Word as it is faithfully preached. For those in countries where to meet other Christians is illegal or not condoned by the government, we ask that you continue to strengthen, guide, grow and uplift them. Let them know through Your Spirit, the Spirit that lives within all believers that we are praying for them. Amen!Prayers for others
We come now to praying for the needs of these individuals. Karen and Adam, Ruth, Kathy, Nev, Denise, Kerry, Lynn, Zachary, Patti and Amanda. . O Great God our provider, we ask for a healing touch and wisdom for the medical staff treating them. O Lord God, give strength to the weak.. Finally, Father, we lift before you, all those facing challenging situations: such as loneliness, confinement at home, geographical isolation, lack of employment, health issues, and financial pressures. O Father, please meet their needs in what ever challenging situation is being faced, particularly for C and her daughter! and we put ourselves in your hands to help meet those needs where we can. We ask these things, our Father God, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!Your own petitions
Now there will be a short time of prayer where you can give to God things that are on your own mind and heart. If for some reason, words are failing you, then pray this short prayer based on Psalm 40 "O God, Help and deliver me from this pit for I am poor and needy!" Father, we pray that your love will take over our lives! We also pray that we would follow you faithfully, live lives obediently and give praise to you alone in all circumstances we face together. Lord in your mercy, hear these prayers of your children. AmenBenediction
And now, as we close: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope and faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen! Thank you for joining us on Partakers Friday Prayers.Right mouse click to save/download this as a MP4 video file
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Friday Aug 05, 2011
Friday Aug 05, 2011
Partakers Friday Prayers
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Order of Service
1. General Opening prayer
2. Praise!
3. Time for your own praise
4. Prayers for the world
5. Prayers for others
6. Prayers for church services worldwide
7. Time for prayers for your own concerns
8. Benediction
Welcome to Partakers Friday Prayers on Friday 5th of August, 2011. Let us pray together!Opening Prayer
Father, as we commence, let our hearts and minds be right before you. We thank for your Son Jesus. It's in His name we offer you these praises, prayers and petitions in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside those who are your children. AmenPsalm 113
Lets now have a Psalm of praise! Its Psalm 113 and our reader today is Sharona! Over to you, Sharona! Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, you his servants; praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people. He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD. Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Christ has risen! The Spirit has come! Praise you, God! Amen! And now a time to offer your own praises to God! If for some reason words are failing you, simple pray "Lord God, I lift up thanks and praise to you alone." Alleluia Father God, accept these praises as sweet smelling perfume! Amen!Prayers for the World!
We lift to you once more, Father, the people affected by the drought in the Horn of Africa. How can we not look at the scenes coming to our eyes without compassion? Those people fleeing drought, famine and fleeing conflicts. Help those people Father, in ways which only You can achieve. Fire the imagination of people to solve these ongoing problems. Enlighten people to give generously, to share and to be looking to the interests of others. Father, help the aid being sent to reach its destination instead of being stopped by insurgents and war-mongers. Father, be the strength for all those who are grieving and mourning the loss of loved ones. Father, we pray that those in despair will be helped and where there is darkness there will be light. May justice and peace come to places where injustice, strife and conflict currently dominate! Where there is chaos, bring order. Where there is hatred, may love be sown. We pray that in areas of need following natural disasters, that aid will get through and infrastructure rebuilt. Lord in your mercy, hear these prayers of your children! Amen!For churches and Christians worldwide
Our Father God, we lift before you all those who are preaching, leading, serving and participating in church services around the world this weekend, we ask that the Holy Spirit would guide their minds and that the worship will be in Spirit and in truth, that the Word as it is faithfully preached. For those in countries where to meet other Christians is illegal or not condoned by the government, we ask that you continue to strengthen, guide, grow and uplift them. Let them know through Your Spirit, the Spirit that lives within all believers that we are praying for them. Amen!Prayers for others
We come now to praying for the needs of these individuals. Kath, Elsie, Ian, Billy, Karen and Adam, Ruth, Kathy, Lynn, Zachary, Patti and Amanda. O Great God our provider, we ask for a healing touch and wisdom for the medical staff treating them. O Lord God, give strength to the week, particularly Sarah. Finally, Father, we lift before you, all those facing challenging situations: such as loneliness, confinement at home, geographical isolation, lack of employment, health issues, and financial pressures. O Father, please meet their needs in what ever challenging situation is being faced, particularly for C and her daughter! and we put ourselves in your hands to help meet those needs where we can. We ask these things, our Father God, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!Your own petitions
Now there will be a short time of prayer where you can give to God things that are on your own mind and heart. If for some reason, words are failing you, then pray this short prayer based on Psalm 40 "O God, Help and deliver me from this pit for I am poor and needy!" Father, we pray that your love will take over our lives! We also pray that we would follow you faithfully, live lives obediently and give praise to you alone in all circumstances we face together. Lord in your mercy, hear these prayers of your children. AmenBenediction
And now, as we close: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope and faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen! Thank you for joining us on Partakers Friday Prayers.Right mouse click to save/download this as a MP4 video file
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Friday Jul 29, 2011
Friday Jul 29, 2011
Partakers Friday Prayers
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Order of Service
1. General Opening prayer
2. Time for your own praise
3. Thanks for the life of John Stott
4. Prayers for the world
5. Prayers for church services worldwide
6. Prayers for others
7. Time for prayers for your own concerns
8. Benediction
General Opening Prayer
Father, as we commence, let our hearts and minds be right before you. We thank for your Son Jesus. It's in His name we offer you these praises, prayers and petitions in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside those who are your children. AmenTime of Praise
Now there will be a short time where you can offer praise and thanks to God for things that are on your own mind and heart. If for some reason, words are failing you, then pray this simple praise prayer based on an ancient songPraise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Christ has risen!
Thanksgiving for John Stott
We now have a time of giving thanks to God for the life and witness of one of His great servants of our time, John Stott, who died on July 27th. Father we thank you for the work you have done through John Stott. We thank you that he was a role model for church leaders everywhere. We thank you that he though now physically dead, is also more alive then ever before, as he is in your presence. Thank you for his legacy and his witness as a truly humble servant of you. Father, raise up new leaders of this calibre throughout your worldwide church, we pray! Amen!Prayers for the World!
Now we pray for this world. We especially lift to you the country of Norway in the aftermath of the horrendous attacks there last week. Father, be the strength for those who are grieving, particularly in the memorial services that are being conducted. Father, we pray that those in despair will be helped and where there is darkness there will be light. May justice and peace come to places where injustice, strife and conflict currently dominate! Where there is chaos, bring order. Where there is hatred, may love be sown. We pray that in areas of need following natural disasters, that aid will get through and infrastructure rebuilt. Amen!For churches and Christians worldwide
We now pray for church services around the world this weekend. Our Father God, we lift before you all those who are preaching, leading, serving and participating in church services around the world this weekend, we ask that the Holy Spirit would guide their minds and that the worship will be in Spirit and in truth, that the Word as it is faithfully preached. For those in countries where to meet other Christians is illegal or not condoned by the government, we ask that you continue to strengthen, guide, grow and uplift them. Let them know through Your Spirit, the Spirit that lives within all believers that we are praying for them. Amen!Prayers for others
We come now to praying for the needs of individuals. We thank you that, Lynn, is healing well after her recent fall, and we pray that that continues. We also lift her grandson, Zachary, to you after he recently had a bike accident. Help his body to heal and please help the medical staff as he receives regular treatment. We also lift to you Daniel who is aged, has the onset of dementia and will soon need 24 hours care. This means him losing his home and his independence. We also, Father, pray for his partner, Margaret and ease her distress and give them both comfort. We bring before you now, Father, Ray. He is currently going through chemotherapy and we pray also that he may have comfort and ask that you will help the medical staff in this treatment. We bring Jan before you, who is recovering from a relationship break-up. Ease her heart and mind, and may the Holy Spirit give her comfort and counsel. May she find rest in you. We lift to you all those desiring partners and families, particularly BT. Help them in their loneliness and give counsel on how to handle the current situation. Finally, Father, we lift before you, all those facing challenging situations: such as confinement at home, geographical isolation, lack of employment, health issues, and financial pressures. O Father, please meet their needs in what ever challenging situation is being faced, and we put ourselves in your hands to help meet those needs where we can. We ask these things, our Father God, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!Your own petitions
Now there will be a short time of prayer where you can give to God things that are on your own mind and heart. If for some reason, words are failing you, then pray this short prayer based on Psalm 40 "O God, Help and deliver me from this pit for I am poor and needy!" Father, we pray that your love will take over our lives! We also pray that we would follow you faithfully, live lives obediently and give praise to you alone in all circumstances we face together. Lord in your mercy, hear these prayers of your children. AmenBenediction
And now, as we close, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for joining us on Partakers Friday Prayers. If you would like to post a prayer request in the comments below, either named or anonymous, we will pray for you.Right mouse click to save/download this as a MP4 video file
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Friday Jul 22, 2011
Friday Jul 22, 2011
Partakers Friday Prayers
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Order of Service
Welcome to Partakers Friday Prayers on Friday the 22nd of July, 2011. Let us pray together! Father, as we commence, let our hearts and minds be right before you. May your everlasting mercy, grace and love be shown in hearing these petitions! We thank you that you are interested in every facet of every person. We thank you for sending your Son Jesus into the world so that we can have access to you through Him. It's in His name we offer you these praises and petitions in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside those who are your children. Amen!Your own prayers
Now there will be a short time of prayer where you can give to God things that are on your own mind and heart. If for some reason, words are failing you, then pray this short prayer based on Psalm 40 "O God, Help and deliver me from this pit for I am poor and needy!"Time of silence
Father, we pray that your love will take over our lives! We also pray that we would follow you faithfully, live lives obediently and give praise to you alone in all circumstances we face together! Lord in your mercy, hear these prayers of your children. AmenPrayers for individuals
We lift these dear ones to you, Father, who are in need of a healing touch and to be held in Your arms of compassion: We bring before you these grieving families and we pray You will give comfort in their grief and as funeral services are prepared. The family of Annette's mother The family of John The family of Gladys We lift to you these people who are unwell at this time and ask for a healing touch from you and for You to help the medical teams: Claire, Eileen, Geraldine, Kath, Maureen, Hannah, Elsie. Chris and Genevieve. you may provide a healing touch and guide the hands of the medical staff treating them. We lift to you Kathy who is recovering from surgery. Be with her and her family as they support her! Give them an assurance of your presence and help the medical staff treating her. We bring before you now, Lynn, who requires healing after falling and injuring her face/nose, arm and other parts of her body. We also bring her brother before you who may need to have both kidneys removed, without getting a transplant. As well as her co-worker who may have to go on dialysis. We also bring before you Beverly that she may be healed of long-term injuries and that you would guide and provide for her as she ministers to others. We lift our brother Richard to you who is just coming out of a time of depression. Lord, please lift his heart and let him know the presence of you, Almighty God, with him. We pray also for Terry Hanford who has Parkinson disease. This week, has been quite an ordeal for him and we lift him to you. Give him comfort, Lord, encourage him and let him also know that your Spirit is there with Him Father, we also lift before you, all those facing challenging situations: such as confinement at home, geographical isolation, lack of employment, health issues, and financial pressures. O Father, please meet their needs in what ever challenging situation is being faced, and we put ourselves in your hands to help meet those needs where we can. We ask these things, our Father God, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!The World!
Father God, we lift to you once again the people affected by the famine in the Horn of Africa. Help those people Father, in ways which only You can achieve. Fire the imagination of people to solve these ongoing problems. Enlighten people to give generously, to share and to be looking to the interests of others. Father, tear down the barricades being put in place by Muslim insurgents and that aid being offered will get through. May justice and peace come to places where injustice, strife and conflict currently dominate! Where there is chaos, bring order and where there is hatred, may love be sown. We pray that in areas of need following natural disasters, that aid will get through and infrastructure rebuilt. Amen!For churches and Christians
Our Father God, we lift before you all those who are preaching, leading and participating in church services around the world this weekend, we ask that the Holy Spirit would guide their minds and that the worship will be in Spirit and in truth, that the Word as it is faithfully preached. For those in countries where to meet other Christians is illegal or not condoned by the government, we ask that you continue to strengthen, guide and uplift them. Let them know through Your Spirit, the Spirit that lives within all believers that we are praying for them. Amen!Benediction
Now as we close, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for joining us on Partakers Friday Prayers. If you would like to post a prayer request in the comments below, either named or anonymous, we will pray for you.Right mouse click to save/download this as a MP3 audio file
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Friday Jul 15, 2011
Friday Jul 15, 2011
Partakers Friday Prayers
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Order of Service
Welcome to Partakers Friday Prayers on Friday the 15th of July, 2011. Let us pray together! Father, as we commence, let our hearts and minds be right before you. May your everlasting mercy, grace and love be shown in hearing these petitions! Father, we come before you now as your children. We thank you that you are a personal and intimate God and that we can call you Father. We thank you that you are interested in every facet of every person. We thank you that you are an active and dynamic God and not a mere block of wood or stone that is placed on a shelf.2. The Prayer Jesus taught us
3. The World!
Father we lift this world to you, a world crying out for its redemption. We lift to you the people affected by the drought in the Horn of Africa. How can we not look at the scenes coming to our television screens from Daadab refugee camp without compassion? Those people fleeing drought and fleeing war in Somalia. Help those people Father, in ways which only You can achieve. Fire the imagination of people to solve these ongoing problems. Enlighten people to give generously, to share and to be looking to the interests of others. For those places where natural disasters have occurred, help the government and aid agencies to be quick to respond in bringing aid to the people affected. May justice and peace come to places where natural disasters have occurred and where strife and war currently dominate! Where there is chaos bring order and where there is hatred, sow love.4. Others
We lift these dear ones to you, Father, who are in need of a healing touch and to be held in Your arms of compassion: Annette and her family grieving the loss of her mother and the grieving family of John who died suddenly Karyn who is unwell and unable to work at the moment; Elsie now recovering in hospital; Maureen in hospital after having had a stroke; Hannah who is now home after an operation but due for another operation this coming Tuesday; Gladys; Claire. For continued healing of Chris, Genevieve and Gladys. We also lift to you Father all those who are ill that you may provide a healing touch and guide the hands of the medical staff treating them. Father, we also lift before you, all those facing challenging situations: such as confinement at home, geographical isolation, lack of employment, health issues, and financial pressures. Hear the cries of their hearts and our hearts, O Father, and give wisdom and courage to overcome and help the respective governments to send aid and be compassionate. We lift these people to You, trusting that you will meet their needs in what ever challenging situation is being faced, and we put ourselves in your hands to help meet those needs where we can. We ask these things, our Father God, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!5. For church services and this world
Our Father God, we lift before you all those who are preaching, leading and participating in church services around the world this weekend, we ask that the Holy Spirit would guide their minds and that the worship will be in Spirit and in truth, that the Word as it is faithfully preached. For those in countries where to meet other Christians is illegal or not condoned by the government, we ask that you continue to strengthen, guide and uplift them. Let them know through Your Spirit, the Spirit that lives within all believers that we are praying for them. For the wider world, please do make your ways known upon earth, Lord God, your saving power among all peoples. Renew your Church in holiness and help us to serve you with joy. Guide the leaders of all nations, that justice may prevail throughout the world. Let not the needy be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Make us instruments of your peace and let your glory be over all the earth. For the wider world, Lord God, Renew your Church in holiness and help us to serve you with joy. Make us instruments of your peace and let your glory be over all the earth.6. Your own prayers
Now there will be a short time of prayer where you can give to God things that are on your own mind and heart. Let us continue praying... Lord in your mercy, hear these prayers of your children. Amen May it be that your love takes over our lives and that we follow you faithfully, giving praise to you alone in all circumstances we face together. We ask these things Father, through the majestic name of Your Son, Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside us! Amen Thank you for joining us on Partakers Friday Prayers. If you would like to post a prayer request in the comments below, either named or anonymous, we will pray for you.Right mouse click to save/download this as a MP3 audio file
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Friday Jul 08, 2011
Friday Jul 08, 2011
Partakers Friday Prayers
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Order of Service
Welcome to Partakers Friday Prayers on Friday the 8st of July, 2011. Let us pray together! Father, as we commence, let our hearts and minds be right and still before you. May your everlasting mercy, grace and love be shown in hearing these petitions!- For Elsie we pray for a full and speedy recovery after she broke her foot.
- For Maureen in hospital following a stroke.
- For Hannah who is having to spend time in hospital and enduring skin grafts. Pray also as she is getting very bored and fed up of being in there. We also lift her family before you as well, as they are having to make adjustments.
- For continued healing of Chris, Genevieve and Gladys.
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Friday Jul 01, 2011
Friday Jul 01, 2011
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Partakers Friday Prayers
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Order of Service
Welcome to Partakers Friday Prayers on Friday the 1st of July, 2011. Let us pray together! Father, as we commence, let our hearts and minds be right and still before you. May your everlasting mercy, grace and love be shown in hearing these petitions! For Luke who is recovering from being knocked down by a car. We pray for a full recovery and thank you he is back at University! For Zoe, Darienne, Claire, Heather, Tony's mum and others who are suffering from health issues we ask O Father, that you help the medical staff to treat and heal. For their families, give peace of mind and embrace all in your arms of compassion. Father, for all those facing challenging situations such as confinement at home, lack of employment and financial pressures, hear the cries of their hearts and give wisdom and courage to overcome. We ask these things, our Father God, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. For those who are preaching, leading and participating in church services around the world this weekend, we ask that the Holy Spirit would guide their minds and that the worship will be in Spirit and in truth, that the Word as it is faithfully preached. Praying specifically for Mark Meynell who is preaching at short notice at All Souls Langham Place, on Psalm 130. Give him the words to speak with boldness and clarity, so that people's lives are changed for your glory. For the wider world, please do make your ways known upon earth, Lord God, your saving power among all peoples. Renew your Church in holiness and help us to serve you with joy. Guide the leaders of all nations, that justice may prevail throughout the world. Let not the needy be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Make us instruments of your peace and let your glory be over all the earth Now there will be a short time of prayer where you can give to God things that are on your own mind and heart. Let us continue praying... Lord in your mercy, hear these prayers of your children. Amen Thanks for joining us on Partakers Friday Prayers. If you would like to post a prayer request in the comments below, either named or anonymous, we will pray for you.Right mouse click to save/download this as a MP3 video file
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Monday Feb 28, 2011
Monday Feb 28, 2011
Heaven and Hell
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Jesus speaking in (John 14v2-3): “In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
What are heaven and hell like? Both are physical places where every person will be in one or the other. There is no biblical warrant for purgatory. It is either heaven or hell. Is heaven sitting on a cloud with a harp and angel for company as popular myth has it? Is hell going to be a place where people who knew each other in this life will meet and have constant parties? What does the Bible say about heaven and hell?
1. Hell
Jesus spoke about the reality of hell more than any other person. Even a cursory look in the Gospels will reveal that! It is a real place!
Characteristics:
- Everlasting fire and punishment (Matthew 25v41-46)
- Constant and outer darkness (Matthew 8v12)
- Everlasting destruction (2 Thessalonians 1v9)
- Lakes of fire (Revelation 19v20)
Prepared for:
- Satan and his demons (Matthew 25v41; 2 Peter 2v4);The Wicked (Revelation 21v8)
- Disobedient (Romans 2v8-9); Beast, his worshippers and the false prophet (Revelation 14v11; Revelation 19v20)
- Those who reject the Gospel (Matthew 10v14-15);All those who are not written in the Book of Life (Revelation 13v8; Revelation 17v8)
Punishment will be:
- Physical (Matthew 5v29-30)
- In the soul (Matthew 10v28)
______________________________________
2. Heaven
As opposed to this Heaven has the following
Characteristics
- Joy (Luke 15v7-10)
- Rest (Revelation 14v13)
- Peace (Luke 16v19-25)
- Righteousness (2 Peter 3v12)
- Service (Revelation 7v15)
- Reward (Matthew 5v11-12)
- Inheritance (1 Peter 1v4)
- Glory (Romans 8v17-18)
Prepared for
- Those recorded in the Book of Life (Malachi 3v16-18; Philippians 4v3);
- The Righteous (Matthew 5v20);
- Obedient (Revelation 22v14);
- Holy (Revelation 19v8)
Described as
- House (John 14v2)
- Kingdom (Matthew 25v34)
- Paradise (2 Corinthians 12v2-4)
- Holy City (Revelation 21v2)
- Christian Disciples current attitude towards heaven is to be:
- Desired (2 Corinthians 5v2-8)
- Looked for (2 Peter 3v12)
- Put treasure there now (Luke 12v32)
Heaven is
1. Prepared
Jesus promised us “I am going to build a place for you“ (John 14v1-4). Jesus has been working on it for almost 2000 years to this point in time!! Heaven is a beautiful place, prepared for all Christian Disciples, to live forever and ever with Jesus the King! When we get to heaven, Jesus has prepared a place for those who love Him, trust Him and obey Him as King. He is expecting us, wanting to lavish His love upon us. We know He loves us now, but that is only in part. When we are with Him eternally, we shall have the full picture of Jesus. He is with us now in Spirit, but then we shall be with Him physically and face to face.
2. Pure
Heaven is also a pure place (Revelation 21v1-4). Today we all suffer in some way. When our King returns, no more will man’s inhumanity to man be allowed. No more pain. No more death. No more suffering. No more sin.
Suffering of any kind leaves a scar or mark. Do you have physical, emotional or mental scars due to sickness, somebody else sinning against you or as a result of your own sins? Scars come as a result of human life. Yet, one day they will be gone!! A pure body we will have as His Disciples!! Perfection attained and it is to the glory of God and His majestic doing, that this will occur.
One glorious day, all suffering will be banished for those of us who love Him. Revelation 21v4 - “God will wipe away our tears. There will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying and no more pain, for former things have passed away.” God Himself, with your face in His hands, wiping away your tears. It is a place where “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5v22-23), are both permanent and universal. What a day, that will be when we will enter those gates, thanking Jesus, looking back at how we suffered. Suffered not only medically, but also for His sake under persecution. We will be able to say with likes of Jeremiah and John “It was worth it all. The sufferings I endured and overcame for the sake of Jesus, was all worth it, so as to be here and living with our King forever.” Persecution of Christian Disciples is only going to get stronger in the west. We are going to be shouted down for saying Jesus as the only way to Heaven. Yet we must persist.
3. Pearly gates
We enter heaven through giant gates of pearl (Revelation 21v21). A pearl is formed when an oyster gets an irritating grain of sand within its shell. It covers the grain of sand over with layers of mother-of-pearl until the irritation and the suffering is no longer felt. Now what do you think the suffering was that created these giant pearls that are the gates? I think they are to remind us of the cross and the incredible suffering and pain that Jesus endured, when God who is outside of time and not confined by space, became confined in a man’s body and stepped into history. People denigrate the cross. I have had people say to me that “the cross doesn’t matter” and “your religion is as good as mine thank you very much.” Still others have stated, “that all religions lead to heaven”.
However, the very gates of heaven tell us that it is only through the cross, by which we get to pass through and enjoy heaven in worship and service of God. Our King Himself has suffered for us on the cross, so that we may enjoy His company forever and ever, if we only trust and obey Him now and place our full faith in Him while we are here in this our temporal home on earth.
When the Christian Disciple first decided for Jesus and turned over their life over to Him, that is when eternal life with Him commenced. We should be yearning to be with our Master. Yet, we are to keep one part of our mind on Heaven and the other on the responsible work we have been set to do, here on earth. We are not to be so heavenly minded, that we are of no earthly use. Conversely, we are not to be so earth bound, that we are not tied to King Jesus in our eternal home.
Have you heard people say, that a loving God wouldn’t send anybody to an everlasting place of Hell? The God we serve as Christian Disciples doesn’t send anybody there. He has given everybody every opportunity to reject Hell and embrace Him. As Christian Disciples we are to evangelize, and tell others of the saving love of Jesus Christ on the cross. That is the Gospel we speak and live. Heaven is a great big place, and there will be room for everybody in this world to enter through one of those twelve gates! Look for Jesus coming again! Be expectant, for the King is coming back for us soon! Jesus is coming back as King of Righteousness to judge evil and reject those who rejected Him, whilst rewarding His disciples who patiently trust and obey Him.
For more to think about please do ask yourself the following questions, writing them down if you can, and see how you respond or react to them. Then why not share your answers with your spouse or a close friend, so that you can pray over any issues together.
Q1. Read Luke 10v20. How can I help others to have their names written in Heaven?
Q2. Read 2 Peter 3v12. How am I looking forward to Heaven?
Q3. Read Revelation 2v7-11. What do I need to overcome?
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Tuesday Oct 13, 2009
Tuesday Oct 13, 2009
Psalm 120
120:1 In my distress, I cried to Yahweh. He answered me.
120:2 Deliver my soul, Yahweh, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
120:3 What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue?
120:4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
120:5 Woe is me, that I live in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
120:6 My soul has had her dwelling too long with him who hates peace.
120:7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
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Tuesday Apr 22, 2008
Tuesday Apr 22, 2008
Sacrifice
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In the Old Testament, the people of Israel were to make sacrificial offerings to God, in order to worship and have fellowship with Him. For without sacrifice, nobody could enter God’s presence! But what does all this have to do with us in the 21st century.
In the book of Leviticus, God commanded that the cleansing of a defiled house required sprinkling with a mixture of blood and ‘living’ water, the bird having been slain over the water (Leviticus 14v51). Elsewhere we read of the ‘water of cleansing’ (Numbers 19), which is also called ‘living water’. This was water that had been sprinkled with the ashes of a young cow, and was kept aside for purification by sprinkling those who had touched a dead body. In both cases, this water had been cleansed by the shedding of blood and sacrifice. The cleansing was to be through the blood of sacrifice, applied through the sprinkled water. For there is no cleansing without the shedding of blood.
At the time of Ezekiel, Israel was in exile due to their sin and idolatry. They needed to be cleansed before being allowed back into their own country. Ezekiel 36v24-25 tell us that “God will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols.” This pointed forward to One, the Messiah, who would be slain as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.
This One, was Jesus Christ who died for sin, the just for the unjust (1 Peter 3v18). That is how God is both the Just and the Justifier of sinners. That is why if Jesus was not simultaneously fully God and fully human, His death on the cross would not be the full substitutionary sacrifice that was necessary to deal with the permanent consequences of sin! This substitution was the sin offering sacrifice, required so that Jesus as the Lamb of God could take away the sins of the world (John 1v29). Jesus became sin for people (2 Corinthians 5v21) and it was His blood as the lamb without spot or blemish (1Peter 1:18-19) that permanently fulfils God’s righteous requirements.
If you are a follower of Jesus, you are no longer defiled and you have no need to make sacrifices to God, in order to enter His presence, worship Him or have fellowship with Him. Jesus, who is your living water and your sacrificial lamb, gives you permanent access to God. You may no longer be called to make sacrifices, but you are called to be a sacrifice. You are to be a living sacrifice that continually offers sacrifices of praise to God! You do this, through a whole life totally devoted to God, doing good and sharing (Hebrews 13v15-16)! By doing this, you help Jesus’ church revolutionise the world! May it be so. Thank you.
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