(by pastor Norman)
Sometimes in our humility as Christians we are unwilling to accept how precious and important we are to God. It was King David that praised God because he had been, “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God (Ps 139:14; NKJV). This applies to all of us. What love God has for us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16; NKJV). Through this sacrifice on the cross Jesus paid the price for our forgiveness that we could be born again spiritually and have fellowship with God (Col 1:14, John 3:1-7, 1 John 1:3). God loves us so much that He calls us His children (1 John 3:1-2), we have been adopted as His sons and daughters (Gal 4:4-5). The apostle Paul wrote that we have been picked by God (Col 3:12) and in the first epistle of Peter we read, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9; NKJV). Paul calls us His workmanship, masterpiece, handiwork or poem (Eph 2:10). At the day of judgment in the end times the Lord said His Christian people will be called His “jewels” or “special treasures” (Mal 3:17). Wow! Whenever anyone talks to you in a demeaning manner as a Christian, just smile and reflect on how precious you are to God, His jewel!
(by pastor Jean)
This beautiful blessing was given by God to Moses for Aaron and the priests to bless the children of Israel. This blessing is still as powerful today as it was some 3,400 years ago. “The Lord bless you and keep you” (v24). The Hebrew word for bless is “barak” and it means to kneel in order to bestow favour and well-being on a person. The word “keep” is often translated as protect or guard. “The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you” (v25). When God’s face is shining on you it is as if He is smiling at you. He is looking at you with pleasure and favour. Being gracious is bestowing goodness and kindness. “The Lord lift up His countenance on you” (v26) Countenance can mean presence and suggests God’s attention, approval and delight and it results in peace (v 26) (shalom), completeness, wholeness, soundness (the Amplified Bible adds “tranquility of heart and life continually.) “The verse following this amazing blessing is often missed, “So they will put My name on the children of Israel, and then I will bless them” (Num 6:27; NKJV). This means that every time this blessing is prayed over us God’s name becomes a part of us – in other words, we receive all God’s authority, character and power in addition to His blessing! So, if you’re having a bad day today remember that God is smiling at you. He approves of you. He loves you. He wants to extend His grace to you. “Surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life “(Ps 23:6).
(by pastor Norman)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19; NKJV). The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity along with the Father and the Son (Jesus Christ). The Holy Spirit (Spirit of Jesus) lives in each one of us as Christians (Gal 4:6) and is the power of God (Acts 1:8, 2 Peter 1:3-4). This is the same Spirit that filled Jesus just after He was baptized by John the Baptist (John 3:13-17) and enabled Him to do all that He did in His earthly ministry (Acts 10:38). That same power raised Him from the dead (Rom 8:11). As we read the Bible God’s Spirit reveals the word to us, teaching us and bringing God’s direction to our lives (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit (Rom 8:16) with an “inner witness” a thought, an idea, a scripture, a sense of direction that comes with a strong sense of peace and assurance, such as the disciples of Jesus experienced when the risen Christ walked and talked with them on the road to Emmaus. They did not know it was Jesus at the time (Luke 24:13-35). God can also guide us by His Spirit with a quiet and gentle inner voice (1 Kings 19:11-12). God’s divine power enables us to receive all of His promises for us, His abundant life and the power to witness for Him (2 Peter 1:3-4, John 10:10b, Mark 16:15-18). If we allow, that same power will transform us to be more and more like Jesus (2 Cor 3:18), Gal 5:22-23). Let’s humble ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit access to our lives.
(by pastor Jean)
God wants us to know Him, “I want you to know Me more than I want burnt offerings” Hosea 6:6). When Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, he said that he viewed everything as rubbish compared with knowing Christ. His great aim was to, “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Phil 3:10). The word used for “know” doesn’t mean just knowing about someone but actually knowing them closely. Paul prayed for the Ephesians in chapter 1:17, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better” (NIV). Paul also prays for the Colossian church that they too would, “learn to know God better and better” (Col 1:10; NLT). Jesus Himself states that eternal life involves knowing God the Father and God the Son (John 17:3). John the apostle adds that if we know God, we will keep His commandments (1 John 2:3,4). John also said that if we do not love we do not know God (1 John 4:8), so living a life of love will help us in our quest to know God better. How do we get to know God in this intimate way? Just like getting to know someone in a human relationship, it is by spending time with them. Sharing from the heart, talking and listening, asking and believing. Spending time in the word is God talking to you. Don’t rush, read it slowly and then mull it over. The more time you invest the more you will get out of it.