(by pastor Jean)

If you are at all familiar with the Bible you know that God spoke this world into existence. In Genesis chapter 1 the words, “God said” are repeated 9 times (See also Heb 11:3, Ps 33:6). In Psalm 138:2 we read that God has declared His word to be even higher than His name. God is a speaking God and His words are extremely powerful. God also spoke through prophets in the Old Testament. Then in the New Testament the apostle John tells us that Jesus is the Word and He was actually with God at creation (John 1:1-3). Later in this same gospel Jesus said that His words are light and life (John 8:12), and that God’s words will never pass away (Mark 13:31). God expects us to speak life with our words too, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21) and to, “call things that be not as though they were” (Rom 4:17). Jesus specifically told us to speak to the mountains in our life (Matt 21:21, Mark 11:23) and so our words become very much connected to our faith. Jesus admired the faith of a centurion who said, “speak the word only and my servant will be healed” (Matt 8:8). The woman with the hemorrhage also powerfully used her words in faith, “For she kept saying, if I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health” (Mark 5:28 AMP). We can either speak what we see, hear or feel – “this pain is killing me” or we can speak words of faith, “By His stripes I am healed”. We can speak life or death; the choice is ours!

Pic: Rural England.

In our new book: "The life changing light of God's word a 366-day devotional" you can read a collection of our devotions. Learn more about the book and how to buy it at our website: www.onthewayinlove.com

(by pastor Norman)

As Christians we are to live by faith, “The just shall live by faith” (Gal 3:11b; NKJV). This isn’t natural faith that everyone has such as believing the sun will rise every day, my car will start or someone will do what they promised. We are called to have faith in God (Mark 11:22) or the God-kind of faith. The Bible is full of directions, commands and promises and we can only walk in them by using our God-given faith (Heb 4:2). What is this God-given faith? Well for me I love the definition in 2 Timothy 3:15 b in the Amplified Bible, “Through the leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness.” Faith is not just head knowledge but a knowing that we know, that we know, that we know deep down in our inner being, our spirit. God has given all of us faith (Rom 12:3b) but we need to grow that faith. The bible shows us that we can grow our faith by hearing the word, “Consequently faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Rom 10:17; NIV). Our natural and spiritual ears need to hear God’s word preached and our spirit also receives the word as we study and meditate in our Bibles. Our faith is also increased as we pray in the Holy Spirit (tongues) (Jude 20). God desires to bless us and use us all mightily in our Christian lives (John 10:10b, Rom 8:28). We must approach God in faith, with no doubting (James 1:6a; NKJV).

(by pastor Norman)

After Jesus’ ascension into heaven there were 120 disciples who made up the early church (Acts 1:15). Jesus had instructed them to teach and preach the gospel of salvation and make disciples (Mark 16:15-18, Matt 28:18-20, Luke 24:47). He promised that their ministry would be accompanied by signs, wonders and miracles (Mark 16:17-18). The gospel is the good news of the life God has for us and how Jesus sacrificed His life so we could be forgiven of sin. As we repent of sin, ask God’s forgiveness and believe in Jesus, He comes and lives in us as the Holy Spirit, bringing the new God kind of life. This is salvation. In the early church they were all filled with the Holy Spirit which was an empowerment, particularly for witnessing (Acts 1:8, 2:3-4). The apostles taught the gospel with boldness (Acts 4:31-33, 5:41-42) and the disciples studied the apostles’ teachings constantly (Acts 2:42) but there were no bibles back then. In the early church there was ongoing fellowship, prayer and praise of God, observance of holy communion, (Acts 2:41,47), a great sense of unity (Acts 2:46, 4:32, 5:12) and a communal sharing of resources and finances such that no one was in need (Acts 2:44-45,4:32,34). Signs, wonders and miracles were experienced (Acts 2:43; 5:12) and people were saved and added to the church daily (Acts 2:47) such that numbers reached 5000 very quickly (Acts 4:4). God never changes (Mal 3:6) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb 13:8; NKJV). As Christians we are a continuance of the early church, let’s follow their example.

(by pastor Jean)

“I am the good Shepherd” (John 10:11). Jesus is our good shepherd. Naturally speaking a shepherd is someone who cares for, protects, guides and sacrifices for his sheep, which is exactly what Jesus does for us. In the beloved parable of John 10:1-10 Jesus says the shepherd enters by the door and then in verse 7 He states that He is also the door and that as such He is the way to salvation (the only way!) (John 10:9, 14:6). He further states that if we enter the sheepfold through the door (Jesus) then we can “go in and out and find pasture” (John10:9; MEV). Pasture symbolizes food, nourishment and provision. In other words, we can freely go in (into the presence of God) and out (into the world) knowing that we are secure, protected and provided for, physically and spiritually. This lines up with Psalm 121:8, “The Lord will preserve your going out and coming in” (MEV) and also Deuteronomy 28:6, “You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out” (MEV). Remember too that Jesus is the Shepherd that goes after the lost sheep that strays from the flock, showing His great love for us (Luke 15:3-7, Matt 18:12-14), not wanting anyone to be lost (John 10:28-29, 2 Peter 3:9). We understand that continuing this comparison of Jesus being the Shepherd and we the sheep that in John 10:3,4, and 27 we are told that the sheep hear and know His voice and follow Him. Our job is to listen and obey and then we will enjoy His abundant life (John 10:10).