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HEAVENLY PLACES

1) Message: 01 January 2014

 

The peace of God

 

Philippians chapter 4 verse 7

 

What a word we find here.  Can this be so that there is a God who not only brings peace, He is our peace.  This is just the opposite to that which is of the world for that which is of the world can only bring destruction and disturbance.  It is in Christ and Christ alone that peace is found.  Even in the midst of turmoil His peace can and will prevail as He lives in and through us in the person of the Holy Spirit.

 

Jesus spoke of tribulation as that which we are to expect.

 

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

St John chapter 16 verse 33

 

The true Christian who is separated unto Christ and has come apart from the world has to become an overcomer through Christ. Then we will find peace for this becomes ours as He has our life, our soul our all.  Whilst there is anything of the world and the old flesh nature there will not be the peace of God as found in Christ filling every part of our beings. 

 

When Christ has come to indwell those who are His all things become new. 

 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17

 

There is a definiteness here as Paul expects there to be a complete change in the lives of those who have come to know Christ as Savior for there is expectancy for a total surrender which has Christ as Lord of their lives.  Why otherwise would Paul have written the following to the church at Rome as to be the expected norm for the Christian life.

 

I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good. And acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Romans chapter 12 verses 1 and 2

 

No exceptions here.  This was the standard of the early Church.  There was no place for the old flesh life.  This was total surrender as the only way to know Christ living in and through those who were His as His Spirit in the person of the Holy Spirit had full control of the vessel in whom He indwelt.

 

Is this description of the expectancy as the norm of the early Church found in the Christianity of today?  Categorically no.  It is a rare exception to find lives fully surrendered and totally committed to all the will of God whatever the cost for the cost is in the same proportion as that which Christ gave when He died on Calvary.  He did not give some of His blood, He gave every last drop to redeem those who were condemned to hell, cut off from God forever.  What is the need of the Church today?  None other than to see Christ on the cross in His redeeming love reaching out to sinners and drawing them to Himself.

 

This is a Christianity which has Christ at its center for this is God’s standard for his Church.  The standard is not met by any efforts of self or even worse that which is self-centered and only wants to take from God in order to improve self rather than acknowledging the Holiness of the Almighty God and seeking His righteousness.  The wholeness and complete life is Christ Himself.  John shows us the standard which is in Christ alone.

 

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked.

 

1 John chapter 2 verse 6

 

To the man in whom the Holy Spirit lives in all His fullness this is not difficult to accept.  To those who are clinging to anything of the old self life they will never know this life for the old self and flesh life will not go through the tests which will come so intense in their ferocity will they be. 

 

We are living in days like none other.  Days where ungodliness and the rejection of Jesus Christ as the only way to God are at the most evil ever seen.  The so called Church is blind to what is taking place as there is compromise after compromise with the world system.  Who is still at the forefront of all this seeking of compromise?  It is none other than the Roman Catholic Church.  Reader beware.  Know the enemy of God and flee.  There is only one place for true peace and that is through the peace which Christ Himself made through His death on the cross.

 

The only true Christianity today is that which is found in the remnant Church.  This is the Church which is despised and rejected every bit as much as Christ was by the religious leaders during His earthly ministry.

 

Should you not be facing continual rejection for your life in Christ then question your position as to whether you even know the true Christ for there is the counterfeit Christ at work too.  You may be in a Church which preaches full surrender and live where there is no persecution.  This, though, is becoming increasingly rare.  Are you on the narrow way to life, the way of the cross, the way of rejection, that way of being reviled and downtrodden or are you on the broad road to hell, that road of self-seeking where you are popular and Christ has no part of your life?

 

I know that Christ is all in all as I no longer exist for it is He and He alone through this body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  This is the only way to knowing the peace of God in Christ for as the days become more evil it is only those of the remnant Church who will not compromise; will stay true to the Christ who gave His all for them.  In tribulation He is our peace, He is our all.  What a Christ we have in all His loveliness, all His compassion.  For in extremity after extremity we prove He is our sufficiency for we know He alone can do His own work.  In the divine plan of God, though, He chooses weak vessels to cloth with His Almightiness so He alone receives the glory, He alone is pre-eminent. 

2) Message 22 11 12

 

And he saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor.

 

Isaiah chapter 59 verse 16

The cry from the prophet Isaiah showed the spiritual state of the people of God at that time. Israel should have been in the fullness of God’s blessing but instead had failed to give God His rightful place. There had been a turning away from God and the following after other gods. God had looked for a man who would stand before Him and plead with Him for the restoration of His people. This was to serve God as they had been instructed through the law which had been given to Moses.

That God seeks intercessors but rarely finds them is confirmed through the few that are found in the scriptures. Moses is the outstanding intercessor in the Old Testament. There is a tremendous prayer of intercession recorded in Exodus where Moses pleads with God not to destroy the people of Israel for their idolatry.

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin -; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written


Exodus chapter 32 verse 32

Moses had put his own life on the altar of sacrifice. He pleaded with God that He would not destroy all the people of Israel. The matter was so serious because God had been angered to the degree that He would have wiped His own special people the Israelites out. Moses stood in the gap between the people of Israel and God. He pleaded for God’s mercy to the extent that if God would not show mercy Moses himself was prepared to die as God’s purposes would no longer have been fulfilled because God would have destroyed His own people through whom all His purposes have to be fulfilled.

Daniel is another example of an intercessor in action. Daniel carried on his heart the burden of the people. He mourned for the captivity of Zion. He confessed his sin and the people’s sin. He identified himself with Israel until God made him a man who moved the heart of God. The result was that a remnant returned to Jerusalem to walk in the despised way of obedience to God.

And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgements.Daniel chapter 9 verses 4 and 5

Nehemiah was brokenhearted when he learned of the desolations of Jerusalem. He pleaded months before God, his sin and the sin of his people, and God opened the way and the walls were built up and the gates restored.

Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.


Nehemiah chapter 1 verse 6

Having identified himself with the sins of God’s people Nehemiah was prepared to offer himself as the means of answering the prayer.

O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer. 


Nehemiah chapter 1 verse 11

In the New Testament we meet Paul who takes intercession to its greatest heights. He lays all on the altar for his own people the Jews. Paul was prepared to be accursed from Christ so that in the purposes of God Israel will be saved by the Jews being restored to God. Without any doubt no matter what Satan tries to do against the Jews it is this prayer of intercession by Paul which has moved the heart of God and ensured Israel’s safety. Intercessors, though, are still required to stand with Israel in our own day as this is a contest between God and Satan. God will ultimately fulfil His purposes when the day comes when Yeshua will stand upon mount Zion and be accepted as the Messiah of the Jews.

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

 

Romans chapter 9 verse 3

The self centred Christianity of our own times does not produce many intercessors. Nothing has changed since the time when Isaiah uttered his cry. That to become an intercessor is not something which Christians clamour for is not unexpected. To be an intercessor is to have the Holy Spirit living His own life in our bodies which have become His own. We loose our own rights as the Holy Spirit replaces our own nature with His own nature. The natural is replaced with the divine. This is a painful process and few are prepared to accept the way of taking up their own cross and following the way that Jesus himself took. What a soft easy going Christianity there is today. It is as though the cross no longer speaks to the hearts of those who call themselves Christian. Jesus laid His life down at the cross. Those who become intercessors lay their lives down for God. As the Holy Spirit lives His own life through them for others they are so identified with the needs of those prayed for that they take the place of the ones prayed for and plead on their behalf before God. This is a painful process as part of intercession is to accept the role of agonising with God. Victory, though, is assured as when identification is made and the agonising complete the Holy Spirit will say when the intercession has been gained. The stamp of God which marks out the intercessor is that of authority. Reader where are you in the purposes of God’s call on your own life? If you are being called to train for ministry or to become an intercessor the college of which I am Director you should be of interest:

www.biblecollegeofwalescontinuing.org

Lord Jesus Christ you are the ultimate intercessor. You took upon yourself our sins and offered your own blood to the Father so that we who were condemned because of our sin could be forgiven. Thank you Jesus that through the offering of your blood once we can enter into the holiest of all, the presence of God. Where sin abounded grace did much more abound. Sin had cut us off from God but through your death and resurrection communication has been restored to those who will accept you as their Saviour. Lord may all who come to know you as Saviour not leave it at that but go on to know you as Lord. May there be an acceptance of responsibility to go from strength to strength with yourself as there is that willingness to be open to the will of God whatever this may be. This prayer seeks only to bring honour to the name of our God. Amen.

3) BRIAN MASON MESSAGE - 4th. February 2013  

 

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he cometh hither.

 

1 Samuel chapter 16 verse 11

The ways of God are perfect. Saul, although he still remained King of Israel had been rejected by God because of his disobedience.

Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be King: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night.

 

1 Samuel chapter 15 verses 10 and 11

Saul had looked to go his own way instead of wholeheartedly following God. This can be said to be the same with some Christians who want to go their own way or give God their second best instead of every part of their life being a living sacrifice. For are we not called upon to be living sacrifices?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 

Romans chapter 12 verse 1

How grieved must God be in our day to see that few will obey the call to be living sacrifices. However, this is the only way by which we can enter into all that God has for us. Just like Samuel there has to be an acceptance of God’s word and move on in His purposes to see God at work. Samuel was given clear instructions. He was to fill his horn with oil and go to Bethlehem to Jesse as one of Jesse’s sons was to be anointed to take Saul’s place. Samuel was afraid as he knew that Saul would question why he was going to Jesse. God will always provide the means to do that which He tells us to do. The Lord gave Samuel an answer as He told Samuel to take an heifer and say that he had come to sacrifice to the Lord. Whatever the Lord calls upon us to do He will provide the way and the means. In the ministry which the Lord works through me, that of Bible College Of Wales Continuing the Lord has called upon me to be responsible to take the gospel to every creature. An impossible task to the human mind but not to someone who like Paul and Peter amongst others has learned the great plan in their lives. That plan is that there is a mightier than ourselves for our lives are so divinely in the Holy Spirit that they know exactly what to do and when to do it.

I know that as one called to be responsible to ensure that the gospel reaches every last person in the world the Bible College is integral to fulfilling this command of the Saviour. Although like with Paul there have been many hindrances the Holy Spirit working through me is overcoming all the hindrances. Men and women will hear and respond to the call to be trained for the ministry through the Bible College. If those from the western world still choose to follow the false training of higher criticism and want a life of comfort rather than a life of being a living sacrifice then that is their choice. Paul turned away from the Jews and went to the Gentiles. God will leave the western world system of training to its own devices and seek those from the third world to be trained at this His college. However, should there be those from the western world who are prepared to give their all to God then they will be welcomed with open arms at the college. God is greater than the opposition and He will have all the glory.

What I have outlined above in regard to the Bible College can be likened to how Samuel looked upon the selection of the new king. When Eliab was presented to Samuel he looked upon Eliab in the natural. Looking and thinking in the natural are not God’s ways. The teaching of higher criticism in universities and Bible Colleges is in the natural as there is nothing of the Spirit of God. Any course which embraces higher criticism is spiritually dead. As far as God is concerned it has no value. It may provide a degree at the end of the course but that is all it is as this is theory instead of knowing the living God as a person who lives and works through us. At Bible College Of Wales Continuing you will both receive a degree and know that God is still alive and working out His own purposes.

All the sons of Jesse that were present had been brought before Samuel but none were found suitable. Samuel asked if there were any other sons. David was called for from his task of looking after the sheep. David had not been considered important enough to have been invited. That was the thinking of man in the natural. Once David was anointed the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. O that God will raise up men and women who are prepared to go all the way with Him. It will cost them everything. Instead of walking by sight and in the natural God seeks those who will walk by faith, accept the unseen and are hungry and thirsty for Him so that they are immersed in Him and carry around with them the sense of His awesome presence. Lord you have not changed so I dare believe that there will be those who respond to be living sacrifices and give their all to you. It is only then that we know what it is to walk in heavenly places.

4) BRIAN MASON MESSAGE - 7th. February 2013

 

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.

 

Jude verse 20

The Christian life needs to be one of growth. We cannot rely on the experiences of yesterday for today. There is no such thing as standing still as we either move forward daily with a fresh supply from God or we go backwards. We need always to be vigilant by guarding the development of our position in Christ. As Paul emphasises we are to press on.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

Philippians chapter 3 verse 14

There is the need to press on. There can be no slacking or we go backwards. In pressing on, though, Paul shows us that this is the high calling of God and this calling is only found in Christ Jesus.

What is this high calling? It is to be filled with the fulness of God.

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

 

Ephesians chapter 3 verse 19

Do we fully realise what God has for us? In these days of shallowChristianity I would say no. Self gets in the way. Self centred Christianity has become prevalent. There is a thinking of what God will give rather than who God is. God has to be at the centre each Christian’s life. God and God alone has to be reverenced for who He is and continually thanked for what He has done through Jesus when He reconciled us to Himself.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

 

Romans chapter 5 verse 10

Have we that depth of understanding that we all were enemies of God? Not one of us could reconcile ourselves to God. We have nothing in the unregenerate condition which could reconcile us to God. Reconciliation with God comes only through the offering of the blood of Jesus Christ. It is as we accept that Jesus and Jesus alone is our only merit and we avail ourselves of His offering of Himself for our sin that we are reconciled with God. Each one of us to be a Christian has had to repent of our sin and accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour. That is the start of the Christian life. 

What is the purpose of God for those who have come to know God as their Father and therefore become a son of God. It is to live life’s which shows forth the life of God. As Peter informs us we are to be holy.

Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.

 

1 Peter chapter 1 verse 16

Above all else God is holy. This is what sets Him apart from His creatures. Yet we who know God through Jesus Christ are called to be holy. How do we do this? Not by any self attainment. It is by continually looking to and thinking of Jesus. As we absorb ourselves in Him we become more like Him.

 

Through daily Bible reading and prayer and having Jesus before us we grow in Him and like Him. Not only do we become more holy but also grow in righteousness and become more pure. His love becomes our love and we become more like Him each day as we press on with Him at the centre of our lives.

 

Few are prepared to pay the price of such a walk with Jesus. Shallow Christians come from having little fellowship with Jesus because there is little Bible reading and prayer or it is neglected altogether. We will only get out in relation to what we put in. If we put much in we will keep growing and becoming more like Jesus who has become everything to us. As the verse chosen for this message shows we are to build ourselves up on our most holy faith. We only do this as we become like Jesus.

We have not been left alone to become like Jesus as we are told by Jude to pray in the Holy Ghost. We are filled with all the fulness of God as the Holy Ghost lives His life in and through us. The Holy Ghost as God is the only one on earth today who can live a life like Jesus. Each believer has received the Holy Ghost. You will know the measure by which the Holy Ghost is real to you.

 

You may know Him as a person who is able to live a life through you like that Jesus would have lived had He been in your place. You may have had an experience like that the Apostles received on the day of Pentecost when they were baptised in the Holy Ghost. Whichever of these two you may know or like myself know them both as they were two distinct experiences is not the overriding factor. What matters is that the Holy Ghost is as much God as the Father and Jesus.

 

The Holy Ghost was sent into the world by the Father to do the work of God. This work can only be done through human vessels who are filled with the Holy Ghost. O what a wonderful God we have who wants us to be filled with Himself as we are to know the fulness of God and in doing so become like Jesus . The more we become like Jesus as the Holy Ghost takes over each part of our lives then the Holy Ghost can release His power and authority through us to do the mighty works of God.

5) Message: 12 11 13

 

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 

James chapter 1 verse 4

 

The Christian life commences when Christ is received as Savior through repentance of sin.  Sin not in part but the whole has to go to the cross and deep repentance leads to the lifting of the weight of sin.  The cleansing of the blood of Christ brings the now forgiven sinner into a new relationship whereby God becomes his or her Heavenly Father as he or she is reconciled to God and is in communication with God.  Christ now dwells within the born again believer through His Spirit as the same Holy Spirit who indwelt Christ during His earthly ministry dwells within the believer.

 

Being born again is only the start of a new life as it is only the Holy Spirit living a life like that of Christ in the believer who can take the believer into all the fullness of Christ.  A great weakness in the Christian Church today is a willingness to seek God’s best through giving our all to God.  There will remain a dry condition where the Holy Spirit is not able to move in full power whilst there is unwillingness to accept God’s conditions for growth within the individual believer.  There has to be a longing for knowing and receiving all that it is possible to have whilst still on earth.  The believer sadly is not challenged enough with God’s word today.  When the following is read and better still preached upon it demands a response:

 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 

Romans chapter 12 verse 1

 

How many today take this verse seriously?  Christians are to be instruments through whom God can work.  We present our bodies for the Holy Spirit to live His own life which in essence is a life like that of Christ.

 

This life in the Holy Spirit grows over time and calls for patience.  The Holy Spirit has to bring His divine life into His instrument by replacing the old nature with His own divine nature.  This is an ongoing process yet with each surrender to His promptings our lives will grow more like that of Christ.  Saint Paul although he was speaking of the churches he had started  knew this applied to individual believers and was an ongoing process where each new test led to gaining a more Christ like nature:

 

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.

 

2 Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 4

 

It can be seen here that the Christian life is not that which is often seen in churches today.  It has nothing to do with pleasing the self- nature and having a life of comfort.  It is just the opposite for this is a life of sacrifice and suffering.  Christ, Himself did not speak of a comfortable life.  He expected total obedience and complete sacrifice by experiencing the cross life which is the death life for His life comes through death to all self- pleasing and self- comfort.

 

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

 

St Luke chapter 9 verse 23

 

This is a life lived out daily for the Master.  It can never compromise to self should all the fullness of Christ be attained.  There has to be a longing, a desire, a pressing in each and every day.   How else can  that place of being perfect and entire and wanting nothing which James speaks about be attained.

 

The law under the Old Testament was perfect although no one could keep the law.  Only Christ Himself could fulfil the law.  Christ came to bring in a new dispensation, that of grace so that  the law became that of the inward man and not that which said “ Thou shalt not.”  Christ calls the believer to be perfect.

 

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

 

St Matthew chapter 5 verse 48

 

This command to be perfect could only be  fulfilled by Christ Himself.  He did so by fulfilling all the law and through His death, resurrection and ascension whereby He returned to the glory to be at the right hand of the Father made way for the Father to send the Holy Spirit. It is only the Holy Spirit who by living His own life in and through the surrendered believer who can live that perfect life which Christ spoke about.  Are there still those in a time when Christianity is shallow who will reach out to receive all the fullness of God in Christ as Christ and not self is enthroned on their hearts.  When this takes place there will still be those like Epaphras who Saint Paul spoke about:

 

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

 

Colossians chapter 4 verse 12

 

What a position to be in perfect and complete in all the will of God for when the Holy Spirit has total control  we are committed to all the will of God and our life has become His life having the servant heart of Christ dwelling within us and living entirely for God and for those Christ wants to serve through us.  What a position, a glorious position, for this is living in the realm of God,  no longer the realm of man which is limited to earthly and selfish desires.

6) Message: 31 January 2014

 

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

 

St Mark chapter 1 verse 35

 

Jesus, Himself sets in place the foundation upon which ministry has to follow.  For without a solid foundation there will be much activity which may be humanly driven rather than of the Holy Ghost.

 

The great principle for all ministry is the Master Himself.  It is not following philosophy that draws to the Master, it is the person of Christ Himself who is the embodiment of every facet of God.  As Jesus alone is the only One who is co-equal with the Father faith takes all that God the Son has to give and draws on the pattern shown during the earthly ministry of the One who embodied in Himself perfect God and perfect man.

 

I and my Father are one.

 

St John chapter 10 verse 30

 

There are some who argue that Jesus is not co-equal with the Father.  Where would that leave Christianity had that been so?  The only Savior is one who is both God and man for God took upon human flesh in order to make the only acceptable sacrifice for sin.  Only Jesus as God the Son could make an atonement as He carried the penalty of sin in His body on the cross.  How dare anyone say that Jesus is not God for had this been the case there is no forgiveness of sin and all who have sinned are condemned to remain cut off from God forever.  What a prospect that would hold for all would go to hell at death.  Jesus, though, is the One who Isaiah identifies.

 

With his stripes we are healed.

 

Isaiah chapter 53 verse 5

 

What is found here is the loving heart of God.  These words speak of one who has taken upon Himself the punishment which is deserved from the Holy One who can be identified as God the Father.  Who else but God in the form of God the Son could reconcile sinners with the Father and remove the curse due to sinners, that of eternal death.  No one except God could do this as Jesus became the intercessor between God and man and made the only atonement through His own blood which could remove the curse of sin which is a sickness unto death indwelling all sinners.  Through His one perfect offering for sin Jesus removed the curse of sin and by His resurrection brought eternal life.  This life is available to all who accept that they are sinners before a holy and righteous God and repent of their sin and receive Jesus as the only Savior and way to God.

 

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 55 to 57

 

Saint Paul knew what he was talking about for he had a life-changing encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road.  There was no questioning from Paul that Jesus who had stopped him in his tracks was God for to Paul Jesus was both Lord and Christ. The One who is both Lord and Christ can be nothing else but co-equal with the Father.

 

Now that it has been considered who Jesus is what can be gleaned from the Master?  Above all it is the vital link He had with the Father.  Prayer was uttermost to Him.  He did not depend upon Himself.  Jesus prayed.  Prayer was His staple diet.  He prayed before the business of the day came upon Him.  He went and found a solitary place, undisturbed by human contact until He was ready to face the demands of the day. Jesus was always prepared to face the crowds which clamoured after Him to hear the good news about the Kingdom of God, minister to the sick who were desperate for healing or face devils manifesting themselves before Him as they could not stand to be in His holy presence.  Besides all these demands there came the constant accusations and rejection of those who should have rejoiced over this person who was like none other.  A person so holy, so righteous, so pure, the very fulfilment of all that God is shown to be.

 

Day by day Jesus was amongst the people meeting their needs.  In contrast He was continually rejected by those who should have received Him as the One spoken of in the scriptures. 

 

Christianity today is dry for it lacks the rivers of living water that Jesus said would come after His return to His Father.

 

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

 

St John chapter 7 verses 37 to 39

 

Only someone who is co-equal with the Father could be glorified.  Jesus opened the way for the Father to send the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost. How vital this was in the plan of God.  Without the baptism of the Holy Ghost there is no anointing, no power.  There are biblically sound teachers and preachers. The word they give, though, is dry for without the Holy Ghost outpouring Himself through those who He lives there is a lack of authority and fire.

 

 

Even those who have received a mighty baptism in the Holy Ghost need a continual refreshing each day and throughout the day.  In His example Christ shows that we too need not only to start the day in the solitary place in prayer as the way to prevent dryness during the day there also is the need to keep in the spirit of prayer so that these temples of the Holy Ghost are continuously filled to overflowing.

7) Message: 31 January 2014

 

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

 

St Mark chapter 1 verse 35

 

Jesus, Himself sets in place the foundation upon which ministry has to follow.  For without a solid foundation there will be much activity which may be humanly driven rather than of the Holy Ghost.

 

The great principle for all ministry is the Master Himself.  It is not following philosophy that draws to the Master, it is the person of Christ Himself who is the embodiment of every facet of God.  As Jesus alone is the only One who is co-equal with the Father faith takes all that God the Son has to give and draws on the pattern shown during the earthly ministry of the One who embodied in Himself perfect God and perfect man.

 

I and my Father are one.

 

St John chapter 10 verse 30

 

There are some who argue that Jesus is not co-equal with the Father.  Where would that leave Christianity had that been so?  The only Savior is one who is both God and man for God took upon human flesh in order to make the only acceptable sacrifice for sin.  Only Jesus as God the Son could make an atonement as He carried the penalty of sin in His body on the cross.  How dare anyone say that Jesus is not God for had this been the case there is no forgiveness of sin and all who have sinned are condemned to remain cut off from God forever.  What a prospect that would hold for all would go to hell at death.  Jesus, though, is the One who Isaiah identifies.

 

With his stripes we are healed.

 

Isaiah chapter 53 verse 5

 

What is found here is the loving heart of God.  These words speak of one who has taken upon Himself the punishment which is deserved from the Holy One who can be identified as God the Father.  Who else but God in the form of God the Son could reconcile sinners with the Father and remove the curse due to sinners, that of eternal death.  No one except God could do this as Jesus became the intercessor between God and man and made the only atonement through His own blood which could remove the curse of sin which is a sickness unto death indwelling all sinners.  Through His one perfect offering for sin Jesus removed the curse of sin and by His resurrection brought eternal life.  This life is available to all who accept that they are sinners before a holy and righteous God and repent of their sin and receive Jesus as the only Savior and way to God.

 

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 55 to 57

 

Saint Paul knew what he was talking about for he had a life-changing encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road.  There was no questioning from Paul that Jesus who had stopped him in his tracks was God for to Paul Jesus was both Lord and Christ. The One who is both Lord and Christ can be nothing else but co-equal with the Father.

 

Now that it has been considered who Jesus is what can be gleaned from the Master?  Above all it is the vital link He had with the Father.  Prayer was uttermost to Him.  He did not depend upon Himself.  Jesus prayed.  Prayer was His staple diet.  He prayed before the business of the day came upon Him.  He went and found a solitary place, undisturbed by human contact until He was ready to face the demands of the day. Jesus was always prepared to face the crowds which clamoured after Him to hear the good news about the Kingdom of God, minister to the sick who were desperate for healing or face devils manifesting themselves before Him as they could not stand to be in His holy presence.  Besides all these demands there came the constant accusations and rejection of those who should have rejoiced over this person who was like none other.  A person so holy, so righteous, so pure, the very fulfilment of all that God is shown to be.

 

Day by day Jesus was amongst the people meeting their needs.  In contrast He was continually rejected by those who should have received Him as the One spoken of in the scriptures. 

 

Christianity today is dry for it lacks the rivers of living water that Jesus said would come after His return to His Father.

 

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

 

St John chapter 7 verses 37 to 39

 

Only someone who is co-equal with the Father could be glorified.  Jesus opened the way for the Father to send the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost. How vital this was in the plan of God.  Without the baptism of the Holy Ghost there is no anointing, no power.  There are biblically sound teachers and preachers. The word they give, though, is dry for without the Holy Ghost outpouring Himself through those who He lives there is a lack of authority and fire.

 

 

Even those who have received a mighty baptism in the Holy Ghost need a continual refreshing each day and throughout the day.  In His example Christ shows that we too need not only to start the day in the solitary place in prayer as the way to prevent dryness during the day there also is the need to keep in the spirit of prayer so that these temples of the Holy Ghost are continuously filled to overflowing.

8) Message: 05 02 14

 

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

 

St Luke chapter 24 verse 49

 

Why is the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ ineffective today compared to the day this was preached by Peter on the day of the feast of Pentecost.  From that day there was great growth as the glorious message of salvation moved out from Jerusalem into the world.  There has to be an essential difference otherwise what took place at Pentecost would still be the expected norm today. The difference is that at Pentecost there was a coming of power from on high.  There were sounds from heaven which were the dynamic of God announcing Himself in Almighty power through the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell those who would receive Him.

 

It was Jesus Himself who had commanded that His followers waited in Jerusalem for the coming Holy Spirit whom the Father would send from heaven.

 

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until, ye be endued with power from on high.

 

St Luke chapter 24 verse 49

 

There had to be an expectancy that something outside of all their previous experiences was about to take place.  This expectancy was to receive power: a power dwelling within them on a scale which each one who received this power would have the same power as indwelt the Master.  How else could the commands of the Master become reality?  What Jesus had spoken about during His earthly ministry was beyond the capabilities of man to do.  How can the frailties of man take the gospel to every creature when there is an enemy who will stop at nothing to prevent this command?  Jesus had made clear that His command was not an option.

 

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

St Mark chapter 16 verse 15

 

Has the enormity of this command been realised?  It is humanly impossible for so great is the opposition to the making known that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. 

 

There is not just hope that all will be reached: there is certainty.  God has His plan and this is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  This is the baptism which transformed Peter and John and all who received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost when there was a mighty outpouring by God as God Himself provided all the means to fulfil the command.  What a coming. What a transformation.  Weak human flesh became clothed with power, the power of God which shook Jerusalem and would go on to shake the whole world until every last creature had been given the opportunity to hear the gospel.

 

The need of today is for God’s people to realise that without the baptism of the Holy Spirit they too are as powerless as Peter and the others whilst they waited in the upper room prior to the day of Pentecost.  The word of God is not being obeyed.  There is disobedience amongst God’s people when there is disbelief in God’s word.  Failure to believe and obey is sin.

 

Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit on numerous occasions.  An example is:

 

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

St John chapter 14 verse 26

 

Not only was the Holy Spirit to be someone who would come after Jesus returned to the glory He was necessary to Jesus during His earthly ministry.

 

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.

 

St Luke chapter 4 verse 1

 

Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit.  He was also led by the Holy Spirit.  When we are not baptised in the Holy Spirit and do not seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit are we not showing disobedience to the Master?  Are we saying we know better than the Master by our refusal to go the way He went? It is imperative that all who know Him as Savior to also submit to Him as Lord.  A refusal to obey Him is a refusal to accept Him as Lord.  No wonder there are those who are Christian in name only.  There is a distinction when someone is baptised with the Holy Spirit.  There is a clothing for there has been a receiving of a person, the third person of the Trinity who  lives His own life in the cleansed vessel of the believer.  Self-interest has gone for all that is important is to live for the glory of God and the reaching of the lost for the Savior.  A power has come into the cleansed vessel, the very power of God.  This is the same power as came on the day of Pentecost for this is still the same Holy Spirit. In comparison those who have not received the Holy Spirit have no unction, no power and are not seen as a threat to the enemy of God, the vile and despicable Satan.

 

Who is prepared to obey and seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit?  Even one believer who obeys and receives the Holy Spirit can become such a powerhouse of the Holy Spirit as to shake the foundations of hell so that souls who are held in the clutches of the enemy are released from his grip and brought to salvation in Christ. 

 

 

Lord God open the understanding of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in these days when the majority of Christianity is devoid of power.  Change the course of the battle to win souls to Christ and take the gospel to every creature by there being a willingness to obey the Master’s call to receive power, that power which comes from thyself in the person of the Holy Spirit.  Lord take away the blindness and hostility towards both the person of the Holy Spirit and the receiving of the Holy Spirit.  Then O God the enemy of souls entrenched both in the Church and withstanding the spread of the gospel will be given massive setbacks for your glory.  Amen.

9) Message: 12 February 2014

 

Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.

 

2 Chronicles chapter 7 verse 1

 

Revival. Revival.  The coming down of the fire from heaven was nothing less than revival.  God in His sovereign power sent the sights and sounds from heaven as the prayer had been heard and accepted.  Solomon’s prayer had touched the throne and the throne had answered.  What a contrast with a Christianity today which is self-seeking rather than God-seeking.

 

Solomon had been called by God to build the temple of God.  This temple was to be built for the glory of God.  Every detail had been given so as to carry out God’s instructions.  All was finished and it was time to dedicate the temple to God. All the things which Solomon’s father David had dedicated together with the silver and the gold and the instruments were put among the treasures of the house of God. (5:1) No  possession was withheld as all was seen as belonging to God rather than personal to Solomon.  What a heart Solomon had towards God.  Solomon’s action reveals a life of loving God with all his heart and mind and soul and strength.  Solomon lived entirely for God and his relationship with God must have been a joy to God for in Solomon God had found a man after His own heart.

 

What a glorious sight the dedication of the temple must have been.  The elders, the heads of tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel were all assembled at Jerusalem. (5:2) Every last detail was observed as the Levites took up the assigned place of carrying the ark and the tabernacle of the congregation and all the holy vessels. (5:5) O how God’s heart rejoiced at this sight of obedience for it was a sweet savour unto Him.  What a contrast from the disobedience and rejection of God by His people as time after time over the years those who should have been His special people went after other gods.

 

Can there have been a more beautiful sound of worship than that which went up to God that day?  The singers in their white linen.  The trumpets, cymbals and all instruments of music.  All the sounds were glorious as they were poured out in praise and adoration of their God. What a praise meeting for this was like none other.  Hear the cry:

 

For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

 

2 Chronicles chapter 5 verse 13

 

Man was out of this for:

 

The priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

 

2 Chronicles chapter 5 verse 14

 

What has been recorded is for our instruction for here we find God acting in sovereign power when He has found someone as He did with Solomon who would obey Him and meet His own conditions.  When there has been a God sent revival it has always been every related to holiness.  Examples are Wales in 1904 and The Hebrides in 1949.  One common factor in 1904 and 1949 just like was experienced on the day the temple was dedicated was an overwhelming presence of God.

 

Above everything else God is holy.  God’s people are called to be holy.

 

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

 

1 Peter chapter 2 verse 5

 

The dedication of the temple had reached a pinnacle of obedience and worship in the Old Testament.  God was pleased and placed His seal when He sent fire from heaven to consume the burnt offering and His glory filled the temple.

 

In the New Testament instead of the temple where sacrifices are made the Lord Jesus Christ established a new covenant in His own blood.

 

Having, therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.

 

Hebrews chapter 10 verse 19

 

Through the blood of Jesus all who come to belong to Him come through a life-changing experience.  This is based on deep repentance whereby their sin has been nailed to the cross of Jesus and the former sinner becomes a new creation and a temple of the Holy Spirit.  Instead of a temple of stones like Solomon’s those who have been born again, for the old sinful life has been crucified with Christ and a new life begun when Christ comes into those who belong to Christ who are described as lively stones.  These lively stones become a part of the spiritual house which is the body of Christ to offer spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God.  These are the redeemed who come with singing unto Zion.  Instead of a separate priesthood like at the time of the dedication of Solomon’s temple each one who belongs to Christ is a living stone in the holy priesthood which is the body of Christ.  Those denominations which insist on a separate priesthood can be seen to be going against the word of God.

 

Let those who are the living stones of Christ’s body, the Church, offer up spiritual sacrifices because they are part of an holy priesthood. Each one also needs to hold fast to the faith they have been given in Christ.  In days when the Word of God is taken lightly and often rejected even by those who outwardly appear to be Christian let us beware.  Jesus warned of days coming when even the elect would be deceived.

 

For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

 

St Matthew chapter 24 verse 24

 

These days are upon us for many within Christianity, whether leaders, or called priests or ministers can be sheep in wolves clothing. Even under the name of Christianity there are television broadcasts which have those who are concerned with their own image and well-being than knowing Him who to know is life eternal and letting Christ alone be the one seen to the glory of the Father.  Those who do not know Christ as Savior and Lord will not have the assurance of salvation or eternal life so how can they manifest themselves as the representatives of Christ?  We must be aware too that there will be those who call themselves Christian who will come into fellowships intent upon undermining the work of Christ.  The Devil is at work wherever he is allowed to deceive and create havoc.  Let us beware and test out the spirits to see that they are the Spirit of Christ for if they are not they are of the Devil under the guise of the spirit of anti-christ. 

 

Only those who are unmovable because the Holy Spirit has all their life and can live a life like Christ in them will stand in the times which have already started to come upon Christianity.  Times far worse than any that have gone before for there is a spirit at work which is intent on defying all known Christian principles.  The remnant Church alone will withstand these demons and evil spirits and the living stones of the holy priesthood will be used as rescuers of those whose faith has failed to be founded upon the rock, Jesus Christ Himself.

 

Are you discontented and dissatisfied with your own life?  The ones who seek shall find.  We need to seek at the fount of Christ which will never run dry for in Him alone are rivers of living water.  The life of Christ continually flowing in us through the Holy Spirit will not just satisfy for He is the only one with an exceedingly abundant supply.  The empty cisterns of a Christianity which lacks the holiness of Christ will not see the glory of God.

10) Message:  26 February 2014

 

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

 

St Matthew chapter 17 verse 6

 

What an amazing account Matthew records here for this is a glimpse of the glory as the veil of heaven is drawn back for a short moment.  Jesus knew that this moment had come, a moment when heaven met earth, a moment when God the Father would commune with God the Son in the presence of a select few of Jesus’ disciples.  Jesus had taken Peter, James and John up into a high mountain.  They had withdrawn from the demands of daily ministry when crowds sought the Master to meet their needs of spirit, soul and body.

 

On the mountain right before Peter, James and John, we are told Jesus “was transfigured.” (Matthew 17:2) What a sight this would have been and what a shock too.  Here was the man whom they had left all to become His disciples taking on a wholly different form.  This was a form from a different realm, for this was the realm of heaven.  This was a foretaste of the glory they would see when they themselves entered heaven and saw the One transfigured before them on the mountain in all His glory at the right hand of the Father.  We are informed that Jesus’  “face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2)

 

Not only did Jesus’ person take on a different appearance there came next to Him two men from the glory.  These were Moses and Elijah.  These represented the Law and the Prophets.  They did not just stand there, they talked with Jesus.  Jesus knew all about both Moses and Elijah and what wonderful fellowship would have been shared during those precious moments.  How exciting this is as a foretaste of heaven.  Because Moses and Elijah could still speak after leaving the earthly life we too can look forward to being able to speak in heaven.  No wonder there will be rejoicing in heaven for not only can we worship the Father, the Lamb of God and the Holy Spirit we can join the whole company of the redeemed of the Lord around the throne of God: Worshipping along with those out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. (Revelation 5:9) Not only worshipping for there is a foretaste here of being able to meet and talk with those we knew on earth provided that they had come to belong to Jesus by having Him as their Savior and Lord.

 

Peter let the moment get a hold of him as he reacted through human thinking.  Remember that Peter had not yet received the Holy Spirit so he would not understand the significance of the scene unfolding before him.  Although Peter recognised Moses and Elijah, he felt the moment should be acknowledged by some earthly response.  This response was to build three tabernacles, one each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.  How we need the Holy Spirit to reveal the scriptures to our understanding or we too will think and react through human thinking.  To move forward with God the Christian has to step out beyond human mentality and step out beyond the physical senses.  This is to step over into the realm of faith and step into the realm of power and glory.  This is where we need the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49) (Acts 1:8) for power, truth (John 14:6) and to show us our position in Christ “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)  All that is needed for the Christian life is already available through the indwelling person of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19) (Romans 12:1/2)  This is knowing what the believer’s position is in Christ. Should you hear what the majority of Christianity today when it of human works test this against the divine authority of the Bible rather than accepting the traditions of the church or the ideas of man.

 

Whilst Peter was setting out his own ideas there came a voice from the glory.  “A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matthew 17:5)  No wonder the disciples fell on their faces and were afraid. Had we been there we too would have fallen on our faces.  The voice was none other than the Father giving His confirmation that Jesus was His Son and all that Jesus was doing had the Father’s approval. 

 

 

The moment passed and the Father, Moses and Elijah returned to the glory.  Jesus came and touched the disciples and encouraged them.  It was then that “they saw no man, save Jesus only.” (Matthew 17:8) How precious are the moments when we have a special visit from Jesus.  However, we do not need to rely on special visits for when we know our position in Christ we already have all we need.  This is the position of those who “sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6)

11) Message: 16 04 14

 

And there was great joy in that city

 

Acts of the Apostles chapter 8 verse 8

 

What a most wonderful word is joy. There is delight, there is gladness. The Psalmist David knew this joy for he delighted in the LORD. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalm 37:4) David rejoiced in the LORD for He was David’s joy. “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2) Joy is that which is from God and not that which those outside of God can receive.

 

The world can never receive or know joy. The world has never had joy, neither will the world ever be able to have joy. The reason for this is that joy is not one of the five senses of the world. The world has feelings. The world can have happiness. Feelings and happiness are mixtures and can contain other components for example happiness  can be mixed with sorrow. There are no mixtures in heaven and joy comes from heaven. Joy can only be received heaven’s way and this is through receiving Christ.

 

The people of Samaria were given this opportunity of receiving Christ. There had been a long separation between Jews and Samaritans. Jews would not have anything to do with Samaritans. Jesus would not conform to this separation. Remember the Samaritan woman at the well and her surprise at Jesus asking her for water. “How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?” (John 4:9) In the great plan of God every person without exception was to be given the opportunity of coming into a living relationship with the Living God.  It was Jesus Himself who had made this clear to His disciples. “Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) God had His plan then and His plan is still being fulfilled and will not be complete until every last soul has been given opportunity to hear the glorious gospel message.

 

Philip had been chosen to assist the apostles so that they could give themselves to the word and prayer. However, it was soon recognised that Philip had a most wonderful ministry of evangelism. As persecution spread in Jerusalem because Saul “made havock of the church” (Acts 8:3) then some of the believers moved out of Jerusalem. Philip was one of these and he went to Samaria. God was in this for this took the gospel to Samaria just as Jesus had said this had to be.

 

Oh what an effect this message had on the people who had not heard anything like this before. These dear people had not had the privileges of the Jews. They had been outside the fold of God’s chosen people. All people no matter where they lived or whether they had a religion or none were to be given the opportunity of knowing God and all had to come to Him by the same means.  What did Philip do that changed the lives of those who heard and brought them joy? The joy they had never been able to receive was found in Christ when Philip “preached Christ unto them.” (Acts 8:5)

 

What a response there was to the message as “the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake.” (Acts 8:6) The sick were healed too. Samaria had never seen anything like this before but above all there was joy, the joy of sins forgiven and lives filled with the joy of Christ indwelt in their hearts.

 

The world as representing everything which is outside of God will never bring a life of satisfaction. Only Christ dwelling within the human heart can fill the God shaped void of reconciling souls with God. Sin has separated souls from the creator and only faith in the atoning blood of Christ can bring forgiveness of sin. Nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash sin away. May God in His mercy bring sinners to an awareness of their sin which separates them from God and condemns them at physical death to be forever in hell that place where all who do not receive Christ will be. It is not that God condemns them there, it is that their refusal to receive Christ in life leaves them without a nature which fits them to heaven. There will be no sin or sinners in heaven only souls who have had their sin washed away by the blood of Christ. May God in His mercy still give sinners the opportunity to hear the gospel and for them to be convicted of their sin and brought to repentance. As a new creation in Christ the once walking hell-bound sinner is now a walking Christ and filled with the joy which only Christ can give.

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