Pastor Jean

Hosea 6:3 “Lat us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord” (NKJV). Hosea 6:6 “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (NKJV). The word for “know” in both the Old and New testaments can definitely mean acquiring knowledge and information about a person but it also implies acquiring knowledge by personal experience. It is the same word that is used in Genesis 4:1 where it says that Adam “knew” Eve and, “she conceived.” This is obviously referring to intimacy and so in order to know God a very close relationship is needed. Hosea 6:6 above shows us that this close relationship is more important to God than religious rituals. In Jesus’ prayer for His disciples in John 17:3, He prayed that they would know God. The apostle Paul said that everything in his life was rubbish compared to knowing Jesus (Phil 3:8) and his goal was to “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Phil 3:10). The Amplified Bible translates that verse like this, “That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly.” This translation makes it clear that getting to know God is a continual ongoing process. May that be our goal today as we seek to know Him more and more, through His word, prayer, worship and fellowship.

Pastor Norman

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:110; NKJV). The Greek word for abundance used here has the sense of overflowing and excess! The apostle Paul taught us that God will, “supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19; NKJV). The word “all” does mean “all” and notice that God supplies according to His standard of “riches.” Paul went further by saying that God can do, “exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph 3:20; NKJV), this includes equipping us for good works (2 Cor 9:8b), blessing others and spreading the gospel. God loves people that giver and rewards them super-abundantly (Luke 6:28). However, in thinking about prosperity, we need to guard against making money and things an idol in our lives (1 Tim 6:10; Matt 6:24; Heb 13:5). God instructed His people, Israel that as long as they obeyed His commands they would be blessed (Deut 28:1-4) and prosper (1 Kings 2:3). The Psalmist told us that as we delight in God’s word, he will prosper us like a fruitful tree planted by a river (Ps 1:2-3). As we make God’s word our priority and obey it, we will prosper (Josh 1:8). I love Matthew 6:30 (NKJV), “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Put God first, focus on Him, walk in obedience and he will bless, prosper and use you mightily!

Pastor Jean

In Philippians 3:7-14, the apostle Paul turns his back on his old life and writes with great zeal and passion about his new life after making Jesus his Lord and saviour. Paul writes of his desire to press in to know Christ, His power and righteousness. Have you ever taken your spiritual temperature? Well, unlike your physical body it needs to be burning hot just like Paul! When Paul was giving instructions to the Roman Christians about what Christian behaviour should look like, he told them to keep their “passion toward Him (God) boiling hot!” (Rom 12:11; TPT). Acts 12:5 tells us that when Peter was imprisoned by Herod the church, “prayed very earnestly for him” (NLT), (some versions say fervently). It says something similar in James 5:17, “tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer” (TPT). It’s interesting what Jesus said through the apostle John’s exhortation to the church at Ephesus in the book of Revelation. “But I have this against you: you have abandoned the passionate love you had for me at the beginning” (Rev 2:4; TPT). Then when writing to the church at Laodicea he said they were, “neither frozen in apathy nor fervent in passion” (Rev 3:15; TPT) and as such He would spit them out of His mouth for being merely look warm. Let’s take these warnings seriously and get passionate, on fire for God!

pastor Norman

We read about DISCIPLINE frequently in scripture. In the Old Testament God had to apply discipline to His people Israel on a regular basis. In Revelation 3:19 (NLT) Jesus said, “I correct and discipline everyone I love”, see also, Heb 12:6 (AMP). The apostle Paul said that he disciplined his body, brought it under control (1 Cor 9:27; NKJV) and, “brought every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5b; NKJV). Our primary battle in the area of discipline is in the mind between thoughts based on God’s will and thoughts that are not of Him (Rom 7:22-23; 25b). We are also exhorted to be disciplined in the words we speak (Prov 13:3; NKJV). In Proverbs 25:28 (NLT). God tells us that, “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Discipline enables us to draw closer to God and grow in righteousness (Heb 12:11). God’s discipline in our lives brings His blessing (Ps 94:12-14) and honour (Prov 13:18). Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) that lives in us as Christians. The apostle Paul wrote that all scripture is inspired by God and brings reproof, correction and enables us to grow in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). As we study God’s word, the Holy Spirit will reveal God’s word on discipline to us (John 14:26) and provide the power to enable us to grow in self-control and righteousness (2 Cor 3:18).

I found a four-letter word in the Bible the other day that I thought was worth digging into a little bit. According to Webster’s dictionary the word “must” means something that should not be overlooked, it expresses necessity and implies being compelled to or requested to do something. With that in mind I studied what I “must” do according to the Bible. Firstly, I MUST be born again, in other words I must commit my life to Jesus so I can be in fellowship with Him now and forever (John 3:6). In order to do this, I MUST believe that “God is and that He is a rewarder” (Heb 11:6; NKJV). As a Christian, I MUST follow Jesus (Mark 8:34, John 12:26). I MUST worship Him from my heart (John 4:24), I MUST listen to everything He tells me (Acts 3:22), I MUST be a servant (Matt 20:26) and I MUST be ready for the return of Jesus (Matt 24:44). As a disciple of Jesus, I MUST love God and others (John 13:34, 1 John 4:1), my love MUST be sincere (Rom 12:9), I MUST believe and not doubt (James 1:6), I MUST be patient (James 5:8), forgiving (Luke 17:4) and gentle to all (2 Tim 2:24). That’s a lot of MUST, so ask God to help you today to do all the things that MUST be done, and He will!