Partakers Christian Podcasts

Think Spot

Think Spot 17th November 2012

Christmas Expectations

As we come closer to Christmas, most of the presents sent off to relatives and friends, (we had to make sure we hadn't forgotten anyone) arrangements have been made as to where we shall be spending Christmas day and who would be cooking the turkey. We have been Hurrying through crowds of people all looking tired , extremely happy and looking forward to be having a few days holiday with family and friends. There is also the anticipation of making new friends or meeting friends we have not seen for years yes, Christmas is a very special time of year isn’t it? Well of course it is but how very special for us who have a vibrant living faith in Christ our Saviour and Lord and over this past year we have much to thank God for as we look back and count our many blessings. May be we had illness or money problems, family squabbles, or the church wasn't so friendly but now we are happy to attend and it might well be that things are waking up at your church and there is a greater sense of anticipation at this time of year as we hope those who do not regularly worship at any church may come along because why? Because It is Christmas. Here in Great Britain we were made to think of Christmas way back in September when Christmas gifts were being placed on display and we began to think of who to give what. So here we are then with just about eight days before the event and we are reminiscing over former Christmas’s and for some of us sad recollections, maybe your loved one died or left the family home. You may not be looking forward to this Christmas as you think you will be alone. If however are a Christian their is every chance you will be already thought of by someone at your church and they will invite to over to their home for Christmas day t share the roast with them. Our local Golf Club Committee foresaw this happening and quite a long while before Christmas sent round invitations for single lonely persons to come to their club dining hall on Christmas Day and have a free dinner. Now if a secular Golf Club will do this what is your church doing about it? I would love to know. My Christmas present from you this year would be very special to me if you wrote and let me know if your church is having a Christmas dinner on the church premises and you are inviting lonely people to it? When the shepherds saw and heard the angel Gabriel and the whole host of angels singing glory to God on high there was a very special reason. The full glory of God had arrived in the form of a baby. (Isaiah 40:5;) No ordinary baby but one who had come into this world for a specific purpose to save sinners (you and me) God in flesh to the manger came. He had been promised ages back but now had come. “Glory to God on high and peace towards men.” they sang. This peace is a very special peace. For the only worthwhile peace and a peace that transcends all is the peace of God ruling and reigning in our hearts. That my friends can only be actuated when we confess our sins, and believe in our hearts that Jesus is not only the Saviour but the one who came to be your Saviour and mine. Its a personal matter and only you can make sure of your salvation by reaching out to Him in faith in prayer. He has never turned any away yet who came honestly and sincerely seeking Him. He waits with open arms to receive you. (Luke 15) “The glory of the Lord has been revealed!” Joys prayer Gracious God and loving heavenly Father, May we not be caught up only in the excitement of giving and receiving gifts around the Christmas tree and eating perhaps a lot more than we should. Help us to concentrate on the real meaning of Christmas in receiving Jesus Christ the Saviour into our world and ultimately into our hearts. We remember He was not given much of a reception at the hotel and had to be born in a humble cattle shed or even worse. There was said to be no room for Him. It is important Lord that we do make room for Him in our hearts not on the circumference but in the central place the throne room of our hearts where we ask Him to rule over us and accomplish His purposes both in and through us out to a needy world.. We praise and worship You our wonderful Saviour and Redeemer! Amen

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Friday Prayers

Partakers Friday Prayers!

14th December 2012!

We pray together and when Christians pray together, from different nations, different churches and different denominations - that reveals Church unity!

Today we are specifically praying for Chris and Lorraine, helping give drug education and bringing hope to people!

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WOW Word 05

Romans 5:1-11

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

8 blessings through God's love on the cross.

Today WOW Word, we look at Romans 5:1-11 and I briefly explain 8 blessings that humanity can choose to have because of God's extraordinary love seen through Jesus' death on the cross...

1. We have peace with God.

2. We have access to God.

3. We have a glorious hope.

4. We develop Godly character.

5. We have God's love within us.

6. We have salvation from future wrath of God.

7. We have reconciliation with God.

8. We have fellowship with God.

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Think Spot

Think Spot 10th December 2012

Keep focussed on Christ

I don't need to tell you my Christian friends, we are all facing troubled times around the world's churches. The devil is on the prowl as a hungry lion trying in various forms to bring God's people away from the Bible and believing that Jesus Christ alone can save us. He will try to put us off balance between loving our neighbour and adhering closely to God's Holy Word. We are being told “Who are you to judge others faiths no one has the complete truth” . But the fact is we do have the complete truth. The Bible speaking of itself reads “God's Word is Truth” (John 17:17;). Again we have people coming at us with this argument “Why do you say Christ is the only way to God?” The answer again from God's perfect Holy Word is conclusive. Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life! No man comes to the Father except through Me! .” (John 14:6:) Could anything be any clearer. ? The question we have to ask these complainers is this “Who else has ever been or is competent to be The Way to God.”? Who else has the qualifications of a perfect Being? Jesus Christ alone fulfils that unique position doesn’t He? On the other hand The Bible has passed through all manner of criticism aimed at it and comes out on the other side unscathed. All other so called Systems of Truth have been found out to be full of discrepancies and have been changed many times. People who have lived by the truth of God's Word have never doubted its inerrancy and time after time we read of science having to bow to its authority and accuracy. What I say may sound over simplified but it needs to be said. There are many muddied so called routes to God but they are all faulty. For starters, every other leader of the different religions is dead. Jesus Christ however is very much alive and proves He is risen by His Presence in all believing Christians today! “He walks with me and and talks with me every day. You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.” If the Bible is True and Jesus Christ is the Truth then Heaven is real. Jesus spoke of it several times and other writers in the Bible have spoken of its magnificent beauty and perfectness. However, If Heaven is a perfect place it can only take perfect people to live in it otherwise it will cease to be Heaven. So how is this achieved? By all of us becoming new creations by the grace of God.(2 Corinthians 5:17;) If we are to be fitted for Heaven we must be changed now but how? Jesus Christ is the only answer, that's what Christmas and Easter are all about. “Christ Jesus coming into the world (Christmas) to save sinners which we all are. (Easter) (1 Timothy 1:15;) Sins removed and a beautiful robe of Jesus Christ's righteousness to take its place. My sins gone and His righteousness to take their place. The Bible says Mercy and grace have kissed each other. Because this is so I can exclaim, “No condemnation now I dread.” Clothed and prepared for Heaven. So through repentance and faith, the only way of acceptance with God, we have peace with God and an assured glorious future in Heaven. So as we mix with all shades of beliefs in the people we meet we need to be on the alert and keep God's armour in place. “Leave no unguarded place” is the command so we must be diligent and watchful. Truth is truth and error is error. There is no grey area. Check with God's Holy Word on any issue you are in doubt about.One final word to leave with you, I encourage you to learn the following qoute off by heart. I have, and it has proved helpful to me concerning ur reading the Bible regularly. “Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy.” Bye, have a nice Jesus filled day ! Joys prayer Gracious God and loving Heavenly Father, Make us more aware when we are being tempted regarding the Bible and the Person of Jesus Christ. Prick our consciences and make us quick to see truth from error when conversation or the printed page attempts to distract us or remove from us our beliefs in the veracity of God's Word and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as both Saviour and Lord which is so clear in Scripture. Forgive us for doubts and fears and help us to be diligent in searching God's Word and help us to be living 24/7 for and with Christ.. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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WOW Word 04

Father God

Today, Alfie the WOWChurch cat shares with us about God the Father! Play the video below to find out the following about God the Father!

• God the Father - Father of Creation

• God the Father - Father of Jesus Christ

• God the Father - Father of Christian Disciples

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Think Spot

Think Spot 3/12/2012

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G'day and welcome to Partakers! Welcome also to Monday and our Think Spot together! Matthew 5:9 records Jesus speaking these words "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God." All over the world, people share a common desire for peace! But what is peace? The peace the world wants varies from the peace the Christian knows. The world sees peace as the absence of conflict and people being generally ‘nice' to one another. Peace in the Christian context goes further, saying peace is perfect harmony with God, other people, circumstances and self. Therefore perfect peace will not come until Jesus Christ comes again, and takes Christians to be with Him. That doesn't give us as Christians a mandate to sit around not doing what we can for peace, because we are commanded to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), our God is a God of peace (1 Thessalonians 5:23), and the Kingdom of God is about peace in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Peace is to be our business! In a world full of conflicts, such as conflicts between nations, conflicts between neighbours, conflicts even within families and conflicts within and between churches, Christians are to be peacemakers! With that in mind, here are some thoughts on what the Bible has to say on peace, to help you this week be a peacemaker:

1. Peace with God

• Justified by faith (Romans 5:1-2)
• Christ is our peace between God and man and between men (Ephesians 2:13-18)

2. Peace with others

• Live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:17-20)
• Do everything possible which leads to peace and mutual encouragement (Romans 14:13-19)
• Be a peacemaker - a sign of real wisdom producing a harvest of righteousness (Matthew 5:9, James 3:17-18)

3. Peace within/circumstances

• Peace is a gift of God (John 14:27, 2 Thessalonians3:16)
• Worldly peace requires manipulation of circumstances, God's peace comes regardless of circumstances
• We have peace in troubled times - an untroubled, unfearful heart and mind (John 16:33)

Go in peace this Monday, into this week, knowing that the God of peace lives inside you if you are one of His children! Yesterday churches around the world celebrated the feast of Pentecost - the coming of the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus. If you desire peace with God, with others and in all circumstances, ask this Holy Spirit who lives inside you to help you! If you would not consider yourself as one of His children, ask Him to help you become one! Father, I pray that this week we will do all we can to be peacemakers and make a difference in world in conflict. I ask this through the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside all those who have peace with you. Amen

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WOW Disciple December 1, 2012

If you are in the Bournemouth/Poole/New Forest area, why not come along! You can come for one session or stay for them all! We will be looking at: What, How, Why, Where, When; Our message; Enhancing your story; Exploring your identity; Enlarging your outlook...

If you need more information, or are thinking of coming, please do make contact! It would be great to see you there!

Where? Poulner Chapel

When? 10am to about 1pm,

Saturday 1st December 2012

Cost? Free of charge!

Come for just one session or stay for all 6!

New believer? Come and learn!

Mature believer? Come and share your experiences!

Map to Poulner Chapel,

Linford Road, Hangersley,

Ringwood, Hants BH24 1TX

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Think Spot

Think Spot 26th November 2012

Letter to a friend

Hi there, this week I needed to write to someone who had shown interest in what they had read from my writings but ended up by saying “but I do not believe in God at this time.” My concern for this person led me to compose a letter prayerfully to try to help her come to a knowledge of the Truth. This format may be of help to you as a believer wanting to share something of your faith with a neighbour, relative or simply a friend or someone you met briefly either abroad or some distance away from your home. Or it could be part of a discussion or conversation you have with them next time you meet. Hi there , Thanks for your previous correspondence it was most helpful to discover where you stood in relation to belief in God. May I politely ask you to look out of your window at home and see the beautiful countryside around you. Or if you are not privileged to live in the country to visit a forest or Country Park and simply have a closer look at what you see there. At this time of year there are an amazing change of colours of the leaves on different trees as they change to a golden hue. Look above your heads and see the brilliant night sky when many stars and planets become visible on certain clear nights. Then look closely at an insect and a huge mammal are they not precisely and delicately made? Then consider your own astonishing body. Isn't it intrinsically made ? If you look at Paul's letter to the Romans in the New Testament you will see there what mans excuses are and God's answers to those various excuses. The Bible is the Book of Books to read. With God's help asked for you will then understand it. You need to ask Him as He is the author and inspirer of every word written by 40 different writers over 1600 years. The first obviously not knowing the first. This Bible (meaning library of books) contains all we need to know in relation to all matters of faith and practice including lessons on life, ourselves and God Almighty Himself. His powers of All seeing, All knowing and doing. He is all powerful. Consider this even as you read or listen to this letter. At this very moment there is a factory working inside of you. What are you doing? You are non active in respect of this phenomenon inside of you. Who is responsible? Who is giving you the ability to breathe, hear, listen or taste, feel or walk etc. Where does the credit go? You wake up in the morning and you expect it to get light at a particular time. Who puts the 'light' on? Similarly at night when darkness descends where does it come from and who puts the 'light' out? Read Genesis, (which means beginnings) the first book in the Bible to discover the answers to those important questions. There is a verse in the bible which reads “The fool in his heart has said there is no God.? Psalm 14:1. The Bible also says when a person becomes a Christian he (or she) becomes a brand new person on the inside. It cannot just happen for it is work done by God, it is a supernatural work of God, a spiritual accomplishment. It happened to me in 1962, God began this amazing work in me and here we are in 2012 and God is even more real to me now after serving Him as a missionary in London's difficult regions(He never let me down even once} He enabled me to help others to become Christians as I pointed them to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour. I have held pastorates in different parts of the country and taught Believers how to share their faith with others simply for 20 years. To go into their neighbourhoods and explain the gospel. I give all the glory to God for my life. Al I have achieved through Him to change peoples lives and glorify Him. I just cannot keep quiet about the One who loved me and gave His life for me, died for my wrongs to remove punishment from me, rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven and one day is returning for me either when I die or when He returns visibly for every eye to see which He promises in the Bible. Yes I am known as joyful Jim and my joy is in serving Him in telling others of Him. Finally as you share your testimony do not forget to include words like these...We will pray for you that you may too enter into this magnificent fulfilling relationship with God its mote than believing it is getting to KNOW HIM as a real living being in a day to day experience. Encourage the contact to read Mark's gospel offering to read it with them pointing out the many instances concerning those making contact with Jesus for the first time and their responses and changed their lives. May our wonderful Lord bless you as you share the gospel either by letter, email or in a coffee shop or wherever the Lord sends you. God bless you! Jim Joys prayer Dear Lord and loving heavenly Father, Please let this dear friend come to see that this change of direction in their lives is going to be for the best result possible ever in their lives. Help me to speak clearly and with conviction as I share with others this glorious good news which all must hear to help them come to a knowledge of the Truth to transform their lives. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight O Lord my Rock and Redeemer. In Jesus name Amen

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Sermon - Aspects of Covenantal Love

Aspects of Covenantal Love

(Song of Solomon 8:5-7)

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Introduction

Two weeks ago, we started this journey together at Song of Solomon 2:3-14 and Life under the Apple Tree. We saw together that Jesus, the tremendous lover, wants to hear the voice of His people and to be their king. Then last week, we continued the journey, looking at Song of Solomon 5:9 - 6:9. There we saw together that Jesus is the best of the best and that Jesus is altogether lovely in every aspect - his birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, exultation, holiness, glorification, grace, protection, tenderness, power, wisdom, vengeance, judgment, redemption and pardon! Altogether: lovely and glorious. There are 3 main ways to interpret this book. Firstly as a story about the joys of biblical love between a man and woman. That bit even I can see. Some would say that it was erotic, but as a white Australian male, I just don't see it! Secondly, the earliest commentators and readers saw it as an allegory about God's love for His people Israel, particularly with their coming Messiah in mind. The third way shows that this Song of Songs speaks not only on a physical level about the importance of human love and intimacy between a man and a woman, but also the intimacy that exists, blossoms and grows between a person and Jesus Christ. Martin Luther called it the "noblest of all songs". Historically this book has been interpreted in 3 ways We move on tonight, to perhaps, what could be considered the key verses of this book. The couple have now entered a covenantal relationship - a relationship committed to one another. So please do open your bibles and turn to page XXX and let us read the Song of Solomon 8v5-7.These three verses are the key verses of the Song of Solomon or the Song of Songs as other people call it. As the couple, the Lover and the Beloved, have now entered into a Covenant of love, we are, tonight, going to look at 4 Dimensions of Covenantal Love. A Covenant is a contract - a promise. Throughout Old Testament history, God had made covenants with people - people such as Adam, Noah, Abraham and Moses. The original readers and commentators would have known that and understood that. With that insight, we are going to ask together 4 questions about Covenant Love - Who? When? Why? How?

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Think Spot

Think Spot 19th November 2012

Possessed by Christ

What a thought!! isn’t it amazing? The apostle Paul wrote “You are not your own! You were bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body and spirit which belong to Him.” …“For me to live is Christ” “Christ lives in me” … How marvellous is that? As I meditated on this fact this morning I was suddenly made aware of being filled with such joy that was inexpressible but so, so, real as the truth of those words hit home to my spirit. For me? How very close is that? He is living in me!. When I go anywhere or do anything he is with me! No longer with but in me!! What joy may flood your heart too as you grasp and experience this truth. Not only Rivers of living water flowing out from me but He is resident inside of me! Again, Ephesians 2 explains that “we are seated in the heavenly places with Christ. Jesus” Isn’t that an astonishing statement too? Jesus promised to all his disciples, of which you are one, if you are a born again Christian. “He that is with you shall be in you” The Spirit of Christ living the life of Christ inside of us, right? Doesn’t that make a difference as you face that forthcoming operation? Does that not make you feel different as you submit to Jesus Christ afresh for the umpteenth time having failed miserably before? Doesn’t that make a difference as you come to your daily devotions and looking up the portion for the day previously thinking nothing will jump out at you, but today things will be different! Doesn’t that make a difference as you pray for opportunities to share your faith this day having previously shrunk back when the opportunity arrives with all kinds of doubts? Expectancy is the key word. “Only believe and you will see!” The Lord wants us to go everywhere gossiping the gospel. There are so many people who have not heard the Good news which has transformed your life and mine. They may have a spattering of knowledge about God but usually they are so lacking in knowledge about Jesus Christ and you have the knowledge and hopefully now with Christ's fresh evidence that He is in you encouraging you to speak out for Him with Him directing your words. Everywhere you go, carrying a tract and the gospel that has transformed your life in your mind and heart and ready to share. All He requires of you to be successful is your heart felt desire to be obedient in every area of your life for you to be full to overflowing with His Spirit. The proof will be when you step out of the boat into the water and keeping your heart aware He is living within (keeping as it were your eyes fixed upon Him) He may not be walking in water ahead of you but He is walking as it were within you. He is with you to bless your daily conversations when you speak of him to others. He will give you so many opportunities and you will be amazed. Remember every moment you are on the winning side.  Excite people with your testimony of how you find Him operating in your life daily and making such a difference to you. Speak of Him as a real, living Being living close to you. He is of course When you speak to anyone remember you have the Lord of the Universe inside you. They have nothing in comparison. They need Him in their lives. Be brave and see what Jesus will do through you. Remember “Christ is in you the hope of glory.” I conclude with an up to date experience I had today. On this occasion it was concerning someone I sat with at a table in town and drinking coffee. He had missed his bus back home and because of his failing health (he has inoperable cancer) I offered to take him home in my car. As we drew up to his home he said he does think a lot about God now as he is drawing near to his heavenly home and said he has memorised a comforting prayer written in the common prayer book used in the Church of England. He repeated it to me and as he expressed each word slowly, because.(recently he had a stroke) He then quoted some words from hymns by Charles Wesley and Toplady. I encouraged him as he spoke of the closeness he wants to find in the Lord now that he may be called home at any time. I drew his attention to some of the promises I have shared with you earlier including, “Christ in you the hope of glory” He listened and then I prayed with Him that each day now he may wait in expectancy for the Lord to move him to glory and that he may be ready and that it might be an easy exit from this world to the next. He thanked me for the prayer then I offered the one booklet I had with me called “My Presence shall go with you” which is one of many I distribute and make available for others to use in their daily walk of witness with the Lord. Again he thanked me and said “I didn’t know you wrote booklets like this but I am sure that one is meant for me.” I said I prayed each day that the Lord would lead me to whoever He wants me to communicate with to share the glorious gospel. The booklet I gave him “My Presence shall go with you” contained a fair amount of personal testimony. He knows his life is in God's hands and he is contented in God. He still witnesses at 90 years of age and has three people coming to his home to talk to next Sunday. Then he said, “ Jim, I really believe it was God's will for us to meet today and for you to bring me...... home …....”

Joys prayer

Dear Lord and loving heavenly Father, we admit our fears to you and ask You for holy boldness and love in our hearts for people we meet today. Help us to open our mouths and speak forth clearly the truth about You. Help us to be witnesses to people who You have already planned for us to meet . Make us even more aware that Christ is living within us and that as we offer ourselves afresh to you each day we may be able at the close of each day to say “I feel great to have been a witness for Jesus today”. In Jesus name, Amen

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