(by pastor Norman)

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; NKJV). The English word, to be proud, is to be pleased with our accomplishments or those of others. For instance, Jean and I give thanks and all the glory to God for having given us successful careers. However, the Greek word for proud in the verse above refers to an arrogant and over-exaggerated estimate of our achievements and merits, ignoring what Jesus said, “For without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5; NKJV). God hates this arrogant pride (Prov 8:13) and the apostle Paul exhorts us, “Not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think” (Rom 12:3; NKJV). We are warned that pride will result in our being humbled (Luke 14:11) and even facing disgrace (Prov 11:2) and destruction (Prov 16:18). However, there is good news, “He who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). God said that if we would be humble, pray, seek His face and repent, He would forgive and heal our land (2 Chron 7:14). The humble person lowers himself is humble minded and submitted to God realizing he can only succeed through Christ’s strength (Phil 4:13). We are called to, “Put on humility” (Col 3:12) and, “walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8); this brings God’s life, honour, favour, riches and wisdom (Prov 22:4, 11:2, 3:34). Jesus said He came to serve and not be served (Mark 10:45) and, “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Phil 2:8) Amen.

(By pastor Jean)

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land” (2 Chron 7:14; NKJV). This is one of those “if, then” portions of scripture where we have a part to play and if we do our part then God can do His. Let’s see what is involved in our part. Firstly, we need to make sure we are called, that is that we belong to God and are part of His family. Eph 1:4 says that we were chosen by God but we have to respond to that by becoming born again (John 3:7). We are then required to humble ourselves; in other words, we shouldn’t think highly of ourselves and should be submitted to God’s will. Next, we have to pray and seek God’s face. To seek God’s face is spending time in His presence so we can pray and intercede. The word “seek” in Hebrew is translated “crave” or “require”. This isn’t ho-hum prayer but it is earnest, focused prayer (James 5:16). Then we have to repent which means a change of mind which leads to change in behaviour (Matt 3:2). God says if we do all that He will hear us, forgive us (see also Matt 26:28 and 1 John 1:9) and heal our land; how much do we need that! The only way we will see things turn around in our country is by an intervention from God which necessitates us doing all the things required in the verse above, Let’s remember to pray for our country and leaders on a daily basis (1 Tim 2:1-2).

(by pastor Norman)

The tabernacle of moses described in the Old Testament, had two portions, the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (See Ex 26) but only the High Priest entered, into the very presence of God in the Most Holy Place (Ex 25:21) and then only once a year on the day of Atonement (Lev 16). The High Priest took the blood of animal sacrifices into the Most Holy Place, sprinkling it Infront of and on the mercy seat (Lev 16). This sacrifice brought God’s atonement or forgiveness for the people’s sins in the previous year. In the book of Leviticus, the Lord tells Moses that, “The life of the flesh is in the blood” and that, “Blood makes atonement for the soul” (Lev 17:11). The Jewish law required that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb 9:22). Praise God that “Christ was offered as a sacrifice once to bear the sins of many” (Heb 9:28). His blood was shed so we could be forgiven of all sin past, present and future (Heb 9:12). Jesus died and rose again to return to the very presence of God in heaven. “With His own blood, He entered the Most Holy Place” (Heb 12). The high priest was the only one that entered the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle but when Jesus died on the cross the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Mark15:38) obviously by the hand of God. By His death, Jesus opened the way for us to come into the very presence of God, every sin forgiven! Praise God!

(by Pastor Jean)

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt 5:48; NKJV). When we think of the word “perfect” we think of someone with no faults but the Greek word used here is teleios and actually means, whole, complete, fully mature or brought to a successful conclusion. As new Christians no one would expect us to be fully mature but if we are true disciples of Jesus then we will be growing in maturity or becoming a little more “perfect” every day of our lives. It is a lifelong process. We were created in the image of God (Gen 1:26), therefore as we mature, we should become more and more like God. God is love; He is compassionate, merciful, kind forgiving, just and unchanging (to mention just a few of His attributes). If we are following Jesus as we should then these attributes will naturally begin to develop in us in the form of the fruit of the Spirit, just like fruit forms on a tree. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22,23; NKJV). All these components of the fruit of the Spirit could really be included in the word love. We have been created to develop this love and to share it with those around us, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35; NKJV). As the Holy Spirit works in our lives, we will never reach perfection but gradually become more and more like “teleios” people.

(by pastor Norman)

Jesus prayed for those who would believe in Him, that is Christians, “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (john 17-21; NKJV). Wow! Jesus said a united church would draw the whole world to Christ. In the early church believers were in one accord (Acts 2:46, 4:24, 5:12). They were, “of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32a) and thousands were added to the church (Acts 2:41), with people being saved daily (Acts 2:47b). Now, neither God the Father nor Jesus ever change (Mal 3:6a, Heb 13:8), so we should be the extension of the early church with that same one accord, based on the same gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the early church leaders as found in the Bible. In the teachings of the apostle Paul, we see that in the church of Jesus Christ we are to be like minded, in agreement, walking in love, in harmony, in one accord, in unity with no divisions, but united (1 Cor 1:10, Phil 2:2, Col 3:14). We are all different, with different personalities and giftings but we are all members of the one body or church (1 Cor 12:12-13). Similarly, we are all one in Christ, no matter our background or origin (Gal 3:26-28), Col 3:11). I love Ephesians 4:2-6, we are reminded to love one another and that there is one faith and one body. We are all charged to keep the unity and it is the Holy Spirit that brings that unity. Let’s get into God’s word and learn about unity and allow the Holy Spirit to work through all of our lives to impact the world!