KEITH NOTES FROM NANJING

[size=24]Here is an opportunity to pray for the countries of the world, please take time to pray and to click the links or place them into your browser.


http://freesites.ourchurch.com/s/StirSoakShareScripturalService/?page_id=265



There is much need in the world, we need to pray like never before, please take time to visit this page and pray.


Please share with all your friends and your church, we are praying for muslims and the country of Albania, please join us


Thanks 


KK
[/size]

Some of my Dear friends, have written series and I wish to share with you.  Please enjoy as you read.

http://freesites.ourchurch.com/s/StirSoakShareScripturalService/?page_id=240


You will find the first two of a series on the five solas by My friend Miles Mckee.. these messages are awesome

I hope you will take to view these wonderful messages; they are food for the soul.

Please share with all your friends

Dear ELAINE

Here is my new website, as you can see it not complete yet, But I wanted to share the website with you. I place it before you as a sweet offering to my Lord, it is not complicated, but neither is the Gospel of Christ.

I pray what you find on the site, touches your heart and leads you to know Jesus more and more.

Please visit as often as you able, please take time to read the articles.

If you let others know about the site, that would be wonderful, here are some ways you can do so.

Please let all your friends know either on email or social media.
Please place the link in your church bulletin/notice sheet
Please place the link on Facebook groups and all social media platforms
Please tweet the link

Thanks for all you do

The site is not finished yet, my devotions will soon be there will be many exciting pages to come. Hopefully the site will be fully finished by May 1. The devotions and daily share will not go out by email,  they will be placed on the site, constantly check back to see what's new, I hope to keep you up to date.

If you enjoy it, please let me know, if you don't let me know as well!!!!!

Thanks be to God for all his grace.

Here is the link for the homepage, there are 4 pages up to now.

http://freesites.ourchurch.com/s/StirSoakShareScripturalService/?page_id=154

God bless you and thanks for your support and love

I would love to still receive personal emails and receive prayer requests.

Also, if you have your testimony of salvation and would like it to be placed on truthful testimony, please let me have it.

Your fellow servant in the Gospel

KK

Welcome to Battle stations.


I wish to thank you for all your prayers for us and our little church, we covet earnestly your prayers and am so thankful, as you are our partners in the gospel.


My heartfelt thanks to you all for your prayers, as you know I send you my devotions every week, I do hope you enjoy them and take time to read, listen and then share, please let me have any prayer requests, so I can pray for you, I want this to be two-way communication. I love and appreciate every one of you and wish to pray as I do my daily tasks, I love to pray as I'm walking and also cleaning the house.  If you have any friends, who would like to receive my devotions, please ask them to email me at this address and thanks for sharing with me and my family.


First of all, I wish to make a heartfelt request for a brother in Christ, Dirk and his family, he is from Holland and his wife and son are Chinese, all of them are saved thank God. He needs healing for various medical issues relating to his nervous system. He is a talented Composer and arranger of Music, he is self-taught, he has a studio in his home. Recently, he has added music to my devotions, enabling them to be even more of a blessing. Due to health issues, he only has his wife's income to depend on, she works in a factory, for 10-12 hours per day. He is able to help churches and Indvidual's record and arrange music. If you know any ministries or people, who needs Dirk's unique talent, please email me and I will pass on your message to him.


Please pray for Rose, one of our students, her score is the lowest in her class and her mother is thinking of taking her to a psychologist, please pray that they put their trust in Jesus and we are able to help her both spiritually and in learning English.


Continue to pray for our church, Easter is coming up. Please pray for many opportunities to share the gospel.


Please pray for our house group meetings on Friday evening at 7.30pm, 5 groups. Please pray that more will be established.


Please pray that all spiritual strongholds' will be broken down in people's lives, there are many attacks on many church members, especially on me at the weekend.


Please pray for unity, as each group leader, wants to do their own thing.


Please pray for the men of the church, that they would be activated into service.


Please pray for our little Sunday school.


Thanks for your prayers, please stand with us.


Please share with all your friends, church members, pastor and social media openings, especially your Facebook profile and groups.


God bless you


KK




SOAK IN SCRIPTURE..PURE BLISS


FELLOWSHIPPING WITH PHILIP[IANS BY ROGER HIGGINSON


MAGNIFYING CHRIST CH 1:19-20 31 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=111118830504



THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF LIFE CH 1:21 32 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=111818204811141



HOMESICK FOR HEAVEN CH 1:23 33 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=112518120132272



BEHAVING AS A BELIEVER CH 1:27 34 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=122181326466217





GUEST DEVOTION


CONTRACT OR COVENANT
 
[size=19]From: Karen Parrish 
 
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh… Genesis 2:24.”
 
Why did I get married? When contemplating marriage, one should ask, "Will we make a good team?"
 
Why do we do a wedding ceremony? There is not an authorized version of the ceremony, and yet why do unchurched people want to get married in a "church?" Usually, they get married in a church because they are "suppose to; we need God's grace if this marriage is going to be any good."
 
There are 3 phases to the ceremony---1-brought woman to the man (leaving) 2-cleaving-cutting the apron strings, along with parents' blessings of support and prayer 3-pronouncement of a new home.
 
The man initiates the covenant because it is God who initiated the first covenant with us----the man bears the greater responsibility for the relationship---ouch guys, we have the greater responsibility to seeing our marriage covenant is kept.
 
When one sees cracks in the marriage, just as in cracks in our ceilings and walls, we need to check the foundation. Marriage is not a contract, because contracts are based on "mistrust." Marriage is based on a covenant as the one in Genesis 15. The animals were cut in two, this required witnesses (which is why there need to be witnesses at a marriage), and then the people (bride and groom) pass between the halved animals (the congregation). To break a contract is never good, but to break a covenant, the words implied are "I am a liar and not to be trusted in anything I say."
 
Most people have no idea what they have done when they get married.
 
THERE IS HOPE -- based on the book of Hosea, just as God saw the Children of Israel rebel and fall away, so God woos us back to Him when we have sinned, and please know God does forgive and CAN heal broken marriages.
 
It is no wonder so many marriages fall apart today because it is viewed by most as a contract. Since we are humans, we know we cannot keep that marriage together except by the glue of Jesus Christ. Life is so often tough, but when we, as couples weather those storms with Jesus Christ, we will remain standing in Christ Jesus.
 
My husband is my gift from God, just as I am his gift. Yes, he saddens my heart, just as I sadden his, but we have a covenant with God, and He has helped us through every crisis in our marriage we have had. I heard a couple say the other day that had been married 68 years say, "No, I never thought of divorcing my mate, but I did think of murdering a time or two." This is humorous to all of us, these are God-given emotions and when we lay them on the altar, God can give us the ability to cope with whatever circumstances we are in. I praise God for my mate and pray our love will reflect the love of Christ wherever we go.[/size]

Welcome to prayer focus


Please continue to pray for Japan. Please share with all your friends, contacts, churches and social media platforms. If you are receiving these devotions for the first time and wish to continue to receive them, please reply to keitherichobkirk@hotmail.com... stating your name and location



UN-REACHED PEOPLES


People groups


https://joshuaproject.net/countries/JA






Many cities , towns and communities have no evangelical church. Please pray that there would be a vision to plant a church in every town and city in Japan, those in most need include Mino, Motosu, Kaseda and Akabira.


Rural areas are spiritual wastelands, please pray for the church to catch a vision for these areas, most people in these areas have never heard the name of Jesus


Koreans and Chinese have many churches amongst them, but there is still great need . Please pray for ministries seeking to reach them.


The Ainu are a small ethnic group of 25,000, with an unknown number of believers. They have no outreach aimed at them.


Evil in the guises of child sex trafficking, pornography etc are run by criminal networks. Many foreign women are exploited as sex slaves. Please pray that the government would stand against such practices and that the believers would lead lives of purity.


Muslims are increasing, but there is little or no concerted outreach to them.


Many strange cults spring up daily in Japan, please pray for the church as it seeks to share the truth, in a society that is confused.


May the gospel be preached with clarity and boldness


Many agencies are working amongst young people, please pray for the work of these agencies. Many young people are seeking desperately for answers. Please pray that they find them in Jesus


JAPAN DESPERATELY NEEDS PRAYER AND FERVENT INTERCESSION




SOAK IN SCRIPTURE.. PURE BLISS


FELLOWSHIPPING WITH PHILIPPIANS WITH ROGER HIGGINSON


PERSERVANCE OF THE SAINTS CH 1;6 33 minutes


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=930181036448



DEEPENING OF SPIRITUAL LIFE CH 1:7-11 30 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=1071876342



GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY CH 1:12-14 33 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=102118826274



THE PREACHING OF CHRIST CH 1:15-18 37 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=11418813450






GUEST DEVOTION



[size=19]WHAT is TRUE REVIVAL?

by Don Harkins



What is revival?  We all supposedly long for and pray for

revival.  We constantly hear both preachers and even

sometimes politicians make statements to the effect that

what America needs is revival.  A look at Webster reveals

that revival is "restoration, religious awakening, meeting,

being made alive or refreshed".



What is true revival?  Is God interested in revival?  Has

America gone too far down the wrong track to witness

another great revival? Thank God there is revival sweeping

many of the third world countries but how desperate are we

for revival in America? Remember this definition of revival

as given by one of the early revivalists.. "nothing more than

God finding a dwelling place on earth, nothing more or less

than the abiding presence of Jesus Christ".



Let´s let an early revivalist, named Owen Murphy answer

the question as to what is true revival. The following are

quotes from his article 'This is Revival':  "When men in the

streets are afraid to open their mouths and utter godless

words lest the judgments of God should fall; when sinners,

overawed by the Presence of God tremble in the streets

and cry for mercy; when, without special meetings and

sensational advertising, the Holy Ghost sweeps across

cities and towns in Supernatural Power and holds men in

the grip of terrifying Conviction; when every shop becomes

a pulpit; every heart an altar; every home a sanctuary and

people walk softly before God, this is Revival".



"Today the word Revival has largely lost its real meaning.

Our present generation, never having witnessed the mighty

movings of God in nationwide spiritual awakening such as

has taken place in past generations, has little conception

of the magnitude of such a "visitation". "Heaven-sent revival

is not religious entertainment, where crowds gather to hear

outstanding preachers and musical programs: neither is it

the result of sensational advertising - in a God-sent revival

you don´t spend money on advertising; people come

because Revival is there. Revival is an "awareness of God"

that grips the whole community, and the roadside. The

tavern, as well as the church, become the places where

men find Christ.  Here is the vast difference between our

modern evangelistic campaigns and true revival.  In the

former, hundreds may be brought to a knowledge of Christ

and churches experience seasons of blessings, but as far

as the community is concerned little impact is made...  In

revival, the Spirit of God, like a cleansing flame, sweeps

through the community, divine conviction grips people

everywhere; the strongholds of the devil tremble, and many

close their doors, while multitudes turn to Christ."



This is true revival and the church must be first follow the

mandates of 2 Chronicles 7:14. How disturbing are the

words of some of our leaders who estimate that only

25% - 30% of church members will actually go up in the

rapture and how alarming it is to see the news reports that

the social ills of our society such as divorce, adultery,

homosexuality, unforgiveness, strife, jealousy, disputes

and factions are as prevalent inside the church as they are

outside the church.  The church must have revival.  How do

we get there?  In 2 Chronicles 7:14, we are told very explicitly

how to experience revival and we are all familiar with these

words. In this verse there are four conditions that must take

place in order for revival to become a reality in our world

today. "My people" must...humble themselves, must pray,

must turn from their wicked way and must "seek My face" -

four conditions to meet for revival. The sins of pride,

unrighteousness and prayerlessness and all of the carnality

within the churches must be dealt with before we see revival.

However, the question at hand is this, "IF", are we willing to

pay the price for revival or will we be content for business as

usual and witness an occasional time of refreshing in our

midst while our families, communities, churches and nation

slide further into anarchy, apostasy and apathy.  It´s up to

you and me. God will uphold His end of the challenge if we

meet the conditions as outlined in His Word.



"IF" my people will: (1) Humble themselves, (2) Pray,

(3) Turn from their wicked ways, and (4) Seek my face.



Andrew Bonar explains, "revivals begin with God´s people,

the Holy Spirit touches their heart anew, and gives them

new fervor and compassion and zeal, new light and life, and

when He has thus come to you, He next goes forth to the

valley of dry bones. Oh, what responsibility this lays on the

Church of God!  If you grieve Him away from yourselves, or

hinder His visit, then the poor perishing world suffers sorely!.

-We need revival so that we can once again touch this

nation and world for Christ. We must have revival, one that

touches every segment of our society.



If we want revival, we will cry out to God out of desperation.

A place that we know that we can´t survive without His

touch and His indwelling presence. Hannah was desperate,

so were Ezra, Nehemiah and the other prophets of old.

Evan Roberts of Wales was desperate for revival. In fact, he

prayed 11 years for revival. He was a very humble man, a

man in his twenties when in 1904, he witnessed the Welsh

revival that swept the world.  Will you be the one that perhaps

makes the difference? Prayers of desperation and an intense

desire for revival will produce groanings, travail, anguish,

agony coming from the prayer closet.  Prayers of DESPERATION.



Repentance or a turning away from the former, according to

our scripture, must take place before revival. It's repentance

or judgment. All of the sins of the church - pride envy,

jealousy and unforgiveness must be repented-of if we want

revival. Repentance is Godly sorrow and a turning away from

the past.  Ezra and Nehemiah cried out in repentance on

behalf of their people.  We must not only repent of our sins

and failures, but also for the sinfulness of our church,

families, communities and nations. -Prayers of REPENTANCE.



Only then will true Revival come.


[/size]

[th] [size=40]Sinful beyond Measure[/size] ...Sin...Sinful beyond measure.Romans 7:13 Beware of thinking lightly of sin. At the time of conversion, the conscience is so tender that we are afraid of the slightest sin. Young converts have a holy timidity, a godly fear of offending God. But sadly very soon the fine bloom upon these first ripe fruits is removed by the rough handling of the surrounding world: The sensitive plant of young piety turns into a willow in later life, too pliable, too easily yielding.It is sadly true that even a Christian may grow by degrees so callous that the sin that once startled him does not alarm him in the least. By degrees men get familiar with sin. The ear in which the cannon has been booming will not notice slight sounds. At first a little sin startles us; but soon we say, “Is it not a little one?” Then there comes another, larger, and then another, until by degrees we begin to regard sin as but a small matter; and this is followed by an unholy presumption: “We have not fallen into open sin. True, we tripped a little, but we stood upright for the most part. We may have uttered one unholy word, but as for most of our conversation, it has been consistent.” So we toy with sin; we throw a cloak over it; we call it by dainty names.Christian, beware of thinking lightly of sin. Take heed in case you fall little by little. Sin a little thing? Is it not a poison? Who knows its deadliness? Sin a little thing? Do not the little foxes spoil the grapes? Doesn’t the tiny coral insect build a rock that wrecks a navy? Do not little strokes fell lofty oaks? Will not continual drippings wear away stones? Sin a little thing? It put a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head and pierced His heart! It made Him suffer anguish, bitterness, and woe. If you could weigh the least sin in the scales of eternity, you would run from it as from a serpent and abhor the slightest appearance of evil.Look upon all sin as that which crucified the Savior, and you will see it to be “sinful beyond measure.” [/th]

[th]

Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth For Life with written permission.

[/th]

Welcome to prayer focus


Please share these prayer requests with all your friends, and if you are receiving this for the first time and wish to receive my devotions, please email me at keitherichobkirk@hotmail.com


We need to pray fervently for the country of Japan, this is a country, well known by us, for its technical innovation.


But its people need Christ, the church is small and weak and very inward looking. Many of the pastors are over worked as many lay people are not activated into ministry. Please pray that God would stir the church and grant that revival would come to the church.


Please pray for the many areas of Japan that are un-reached, thousands of villages and towns have no evangelical church, please pray that every place would be touched by the gospel.


Please pray that the gospel would touch the youth of Japan, this is an ageing nation, young people are becoming less and less.


Many of the older people in Japan are trapped in the Shinto religion, please pray they would find true freedom in Christ.


Please pray for this land, they are in great need. The gospel has never made a real breakthrough, please pray for this


Thank you


KK




SOAK IN SCRIPTURE ..PURE BLISS


FELLOWSHIPPING WITH THE PHILIPPIANS BY ROGER HIGGINSON


INTRODUCTION CH 1;1 31 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=9218712166





INTRODUCTION PART 2 CH 1;1 35 minutes


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=9918953578



SERVANTS SAINTS AND SALUTATIONS CH 1;1-2 30 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=91618851438



THE HEART OF AN INTERCESSOR CH 1:3-5 32 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=923188405710





GUEST DEVOTION


[size=19]THE BEAUTIFUL FRAGRANCE 
 
From:                     Karen Parrish
 
"Now thanks be to God who always leads in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.  For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing...2 Corinthians 2:14,15."
 
Fragrance, me a fragrance? This scripture brings deep conviction to me.  So many of us don't have eloquent words to lead people to Christ, so we conclude we aren't "evangelists".  However, this scripture says we are all fragrances to those who are unsaved; that means we are, whether we want to be or don't want to be.   
 
I reflect on those times, I complain (we are SOOO good at that), or stand by silently and listen to gossip, or laugh at an off-coloured joke, or shake our heads in condemnation, and so the list could on and on.  We are a sinful lot who so often exude stink or a foul odour at best.  I am reminded of our pastor telling us that when the priests in the Old Testament burned the incense once a year, this incense could be smelled from 25 miles away!   Oh, forgive me Lord, where I have failed you and I ask that you show each one of us reading this right now, that you would reveal those areas that don't show the beautiful fragrance of being your prince or princess!   
 
Abba Father so often uses the silent witness or "fragrance" of our lives.  By this I mean, how we handle adversity, how we handle those pop-up situations, how we handle unsaved relatives or friends, how we handle our enemies.  I pray that I will be more fragrant than ever before, and I also pray that God will not only reveal those areas of stink but rid us of those areas and "spray" His Holy fragrance over us!   
 
Abba Father loves us dearly and wants to show His great love to the unsaved through you and me, dear saints.  May God touch your hearts and spirits and above all, may you be drawn to a closer relationship with Him!  Praise be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!  He is the one true God who knows no boundaries, and who can do all things, and who is totally faithful to you and me![/size]

SOAK INTO SCRIPTURE.. OVER 2 HOURS OF PURE BLISS

THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD BY ANTHONY MATHENIA

THE GOODNESS OF GOD PSALM 107 41 MINUTES

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=116131511224

THE JEALOUSLY OF GOD JOSHUA 24 44 MINUTES

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=129131441562

THE LOVE OF GOD 1 JOHN 4 41MINUTES

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=21113161138

THE JUST WRATH OF GOD 56 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=311131451561



GUEST DEVOTION

BRENT RIGGS
Eternal glory? There's a price to pay first.  
1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
“After you have suffered for a while…”  You won’t hear that preached in the “what’s in it for me God?” Christianity that has infected much of western culture.  We just want to hear about “our best day”, blessings, prosperity, favor, abundance, etc.  Biblical teaching on suffering does not build huge affluent churches.
 
Regardless, the Bible has much to say on the topic and guarantees suffering for the faithful even to the point of clearly telling us: if the Master suffered why is it surprising that His followers will?
 

• 2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…
  
  
• 2 Corinthians 4:17:  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
  
  
• James 1:12  Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
  
  
• John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
  
  
• 1 Peter 4:12  Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
  
  
• Matthew 5:10-12  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
  
  

That’s just a small sampling of Scripture on the topic. It says something about our modern Biblical mindset when Scripture has so much to say about suffering, and we say so little about it.
We suffer because the world hates Jesus. We suffer because we proclaim a single path to salvation. We suffer because declaring something sinful convicts those who indulge. We suffer because we still live in sin-cursed bodies and a sin-cursed world.
 
We suffer a “little while” then comes perfection, security, strength, peace and reward. It is a small price to pay for our eternal salvation which we did not deserve, could not earn, and cost Jesus His all.
 
Think It Over: I have often encouraged people to consider this… if you are not, or have never, suffered in any way because of your faith, you should question the validity or depth of it. True faith in Jesus, obedience to God and devotion to Christ will always cost us – ridicule, loss of opportunity or freedom, rejection, scorn and sadly at times, physical persecution even to death. The Cross-cost Jesus everything. Taking up your cross and following Him has a cost as well.

The people are few, but the need is the same, they need Christ, they need prayer, for someone to pray and stand in the gap for them. Are you prepared to be that person? If you are please read on, pray, listen and share.


TELEUT
 



POPULATION: LESS THAN 100
 



NO KNOWN CHRISTIANS


 


Another group living in Xianjiang. Their location is very harsh during the winter.


 Pray that someone would be called to GO to them


Many are atheists, although they do have portions of the Bible. Please pray for them.
 



The number of people to pray for in these groups is less than 100, but again they are precious to God.
 



God bless you,


 
KK


Please click the link below or paste into browser, please let me know if you prayed for them.




https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/15323/CH





[size=19]SOAK IN SCRIPTURE .. 2 HOURS OF PURE BLISS



THE ATTIBUTES OF GOD BY ANTHONY MATHENIA


THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD HABBAKKUK 3 59 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=11512154525



THE WISDOM OF GOD IN REDEMPTION ROMANS 11;33 60 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=111312155420



THE WISDOM OF GOD IN THE CHURCH 1 COR CHS 1-2 55MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=112512933121





THE HOLINESS OF GOD ISAIAH 6 44 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=1126121743212






GUEST DEVOTION


                 All Hell Let Loose!                                 Matthew 27:26-37

Dr C.K. McClinton - Ulster Christians - www.ulsterchristians.org

Text: “I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and spitting.”

[/size][size][size]
          “As many were astonied at Thee; His visage (face) was so marred more than any man, and His form (body) more than the sons of men.”

[/size][/size][size][size]
          “But He (the Lord Jesus Christ) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed (from our sins).”

[/size][/size][size][size]
Good morning fully enlightened Christian!  Not for you the clinically described Crucifixion scenes painted for us by Papal-paid artists, depicting some Bloodless Calvary imagery, of beauty and humanistic expression that would never dare to be displeasing to the eye of its carnal, easily-offended, beholders. 

No!  You are thoroughly instructed from Holy Scriptures – Old Testament prophecies and New Testament eye-witness accounts – of what could only be described as a scene where ‘all Hell was let loose upon the Christ of God on His way to, and nailed upon, a cruel Cross’!

“And almost all things are by the law purged with BLOOD; and without the shedding of Blood (Christ’s sinless Blood) is no remission (from sin).” (Hebrews 9:22)

It is my personal belief, that ‘the church’, and by this, I mean, ‘the professing Christian church worldwide’ – have, down the past two Centuries of history, lost its sense of true REALITY.

Not only do we find today, professing Christians who believe that they can, in fact, reach a state of sinless perfection in this life; can live like Hell, yet go to a Holy Heaven when they die; pay no attention at all to doctrinal truth, ‘…just as long as we all love each other…’; and psychologically, in some manner, blot out the reality of what took place at Calvary, and upon that cruel Roman Cross on the day of Christ’s Crucifixion!

The day of Christ’s Crucifixion – was a day when all Hell was let loose on the Lord Jesus Christ!

Scourged (V.26): “The victim to be scourged was stripped and made to stretch his arms around a pillar, boulder or another large object, typically at a forward-leaning angle. His hands were then "bound ... with thongs" (Acts 22:25) tightly on the other side of the pillar or boulder so that his arms were distended and his back stretched taut. He was then whipped with the Roman flagellum, which is a whip with two or three long leather strips attached to a short wooden handle. Knotted in along the leather strips were pieces of metal and bone that dug into and then tore out flesh during the whipping, which shredded the victim's back from the neck to the buttocks. It wasn't uncommon for the victims of the Roman scourge to die from the ensuing blood loss and/or shock.”  (BibleVerseStudy.com online)

Striped/Mocked/Crowned with Thorns (Vs 27-29): A Hell of mental, emotional, and physical cruelty was then unleashed upon the passive and yielding Jesus, as all Hell in the hearts of an entire band of sinful Roman soldiers was poured out on the Body of the Son of the Living Lord God.

Smitten/Spat upon/beat upon/ridiculed (V30-31):  Only Hell itself, in the black hearts of Satan’s children could ever have abused a naked man in this Satanically evil manner.  Pitiless and ruthless was the treatment meted out that terrible day; profound, the hatred of Hell, inspired the Roman soldiers as they toyed with their passive, and quiet victim.

Wounds open and flowing out His sinless, and precious Blood, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, uttered not a word to His Hell-inspired tormentors, as they compelled the grievously wounded man to carry the heavy patibulum plank which would become the cruel crosspiece of His Cross.

Crucified (V.35): The Bloody piece of human meat which had enveloped Divinity for more than thirty-three years of Holy living and doing wondrous good to all He met, was then barbarously nailed by His wrists to the patibulum, and hoisted mercilessly up to hang, torturously, between Heaven and earth – bearing the sins of ‘His people’, chosen for Salvation by His Father, from before the very foundation of the world He had Created. 

Hell rejoiced at what it thought was a victory – but, praise God, we Bible-believers have continued to read to the end of the Gospels, the eye-witness accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John!   Up from the grave Christ arose!  Hallelujah!  Victory in Jesus!

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“But what was a crucifixion? Let us try to realize it, and understand its misery. The person crucified was laid on his back on a piece of timber, with a cross-piece nailed to it near one end, —or on the trunk of a tree with branching arms, which answered the same purpose. His hands were spread out on the cross-piece, and nails driven through each of them, fastening them to the wood; his feet in like manner were nailed to the upright part of the cross: and then, the body having been securely fastened, the cross was raised up, and fixed firmly in the ground. And there hung the unhappy sufferer, till pain and exhaustion brought him to his end: not dying suddenly, for no vital part of him was injured; but enduring the most excruciating agony from his hands and feet, and unable to move. Such was the death of the cross. Such was the death that Jesus died for us! For six long hours He hung there before a gazing crowd, naked, and bleeding from head to foot, —His head pierced with thorns, His back lacerated with scourging, —His hands and feet torn with nails, —and mocked and reviled by His cruel enemies to the very last.

“Let us meditate frequently on these things: let us often read over the story of Christ’s cross and passion. Let us remember, not least, that all these horrible sufferings were borne without a murmur: no word of impatience crossed our Lord’s lips. In His death, no less than in His life, He was perfect: to the very last Satan found nothing in Him. (John 19:30)” (J. C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew, 1816-1900)

Thought: Fully enlightened by this real cruelty – know, for sure, for whom Christ died.

Ulster Christians

www.ulsterchristians.org[/size][/size]

Welcome to Stir, Soak, Share Scriptural Devotions


Please enjoy the devotions and sermons, the title comes from the following bible verses;



Stir; Hebrews 10:24

Soak； Colossians 3:16

Share； 1 Thessalonians 5;11
Scriptural； 2 Timothy 3:16-17



If you receiving my devotions for the first time and wish to subscribe, please reply to my email keitherichobkirk@hotmail.com, stating your name and location. Thanks



PSALM 32 VS 8-11


[size=19]I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
    or it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
    but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
    and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
JOYLESS OR JOYFUL


A person who is forgiven is the happiest man o the planet, pure joy fills his/her heart. 


Look at what they are able to do, they are able to instruct others, we are able to relate our experiences to others, we can share the joy of being forgiven with others, it is truly something we can share.. amen


We who are forgiven and upright in heart, can be glad, we can shout for joy. We can praise the God who alone gives us forgiveness, this is the greatest feeling in the world to be forgiven, the psalmist just shouts it out.


Are you glad you have forgiven?


If you looked at many Christians, you wouldn't realise it, they are so sad, not like the psalmist in verse 11, they are not glad in the Lord and shouting for joy.


Are you glad in the Lord and shouting for joy because you have been forgiven?


Are you instructing others, because you have been forgiven?
Why do you think people are so sorrowful today?


Because they have no forgiveness, people crave forgiveness, this is Man's greatest need, he has sin like a ball and chain round his foot. We have the words of eternal life, what are you doing with them?


Believer, you have forgiveness, shout it out, be glad, tell the world that the steadfast love of the Lord surrounds those who trust in Him


The joy of forgiveness is amazing, if you know it, it's time to SHOUT AND SHARE IT, to a needy and hurting world


GOD BLESS YOU


KK



SOAK IN SCRIPTURE



OVER 2 HOURS OF PURE BLISS




THE OMNIPRESENCE OF GOD BY ANTHONY MANTHENIA 46 MINUTES

PSALM 139 JONAH 1



https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=9261294012




THE OMNISCIENCE OF GOD BY ANTHONY MATHENIA 52 MINUTES
JOB CHS 38-40


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=102121230304





BE GLAD, CHILD OF GOD BY EDWARD DIXON 41 MINUTES PSALM 32;11

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=492022246864


GUIDED WITH GODS EYE BY NOEL HUGHES 38 MINUTES PSALM 32;8



https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=121071816483


Guest Devotion


Radiation Rescuers


It wasn't just another news story. It was loaded with so many layers of tragedy. It was one of the worst I'd ever seen. Maybe you remember several years ago when Japan had a massage earthquake and then a massive tsunami, and then the nuclear emergency. Now, those kinds of things tend to disappear from the front page. But I'll tell you what, this particular situation, well, it's had lasting effects for a long, long time.


I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word with You today about "Radiation Rescuers."


You know, that shames me when I think of the times, I've "chickened out" on my life-saving assignment because I was afraid of something bad that might happen to me. My life-saving assignment is to go in and tell other people about the Jesus who is their only hope for eternity. "Oh, but you know, I'm afraid they might not like me as much." "I might goof it up." "Maybe they'd write me off as a Jesus-freak." No. No. No, there's no danger of me losing my life, but I might lose a little personal ground. You know?"


I'm thinking about a visit I had to the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial a few years ago. I was privileged to go there with a police officer who had been one of the first responders on that awful day where so many people died as that building was detonated early that morning. My friend told me about how he was one of the rescuers that ran into that building. And when they did, they knew that they were the only hope for some trapped survivors.


But I've got to tell you, they weren't without fear. As they looked at the structure above them, as my friend did, he could hear it creaking and he started thinking, "Man, this thing could come down on top of us at any moment." And so, he said to his chief, "I think we're going to die here." And his chief replied, "Then it's a good day to die, and a good way to die."


You know, I drove away that day with a new sense of what it means to be a rescuer of lives that are in the balance. In one word - self-abandonment. Like some quiet heroes who were willing to go into that nuclear plant that was broken, and abandon themselves so other people could live. Or like the September 11 rescuers at Ground Zero, charging into the rubble of those fallen towers, knowing they might never come out alive. And, above all, like the only Son of God, abandoning all the glory of heaven for the blood and the brutality of a cross for me so I could live.


And here am I - and so are many of my fellow Jesus-followers - too often wimping out on delivering the only message that can save people we care about from an unthinkable eternity.


Now, our word for today from the word of God. It's in Proverbs 24:11. It commands us to "rescue those being led away to death." Jude 23 from the New Testament says, "snatch others from the fire". Boy, that's a rescue verse. "Snatch others from the fire and save them." You see what those have in common? Those are life-or-death images, which give all those who belong to the Rescuer (which would be you and me, fellow believer) a life-saving responsibility. Not just to witness, not just to tell them our beliefs; this is rescue. This is life or death.


There's something to be more afraid of all right. But something to be more afraid of than what will happen to us if we tell lost people about Jesus. What we are to be afraid of is what will happen to them if we don't.


Copyright :copyright: Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.






2Ch 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.[/size]

Why Do I Face Trials?
Let me know why you contend against me.

Job 10:2
Perhaps, weary soul, the Lord is doing this to develop your graces. There are some of your graces that would never be discovered if it were not for your trials. Do you not know that your faith never looks as good in summer as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glowworm, showing but little light unless it is surrounded by darkness.

Hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God sets the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine brighter. It was only a little while ago that on your knees you were saying, “Lord, I fear I have no faith. Let me know that I have faith.” Were you not really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials? For how can you know that you have faith until your faith is exercised? Depend upon it—God often sends us trials so that our graces may be discovered and that we may be convinced of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery; real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials.

God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and subjecting them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many long miles with heavy backpacks of sorrow. Well, Christian, may this not account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is the Lord bringing out your graces and making them grow? Is it for this reason He contends with you?

Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.

Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth For Life with written permission.

GUEST DEVOTION


  
[size]
 









SOAK IN SCRIPTURE.. OVER 90 MINUTES OF PURE BLISS


THE INVITATIONS OF GOD BY JOHN MACDUFF 5 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=125171926168



KNOWABILITY OF GOD BY ANTHONY MANTHENIA 1 KINGS 10 31 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=96121350237





YOU SHALL NOT COVET BY THOMAS WATSON EXODUSS 20;17 19 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=1025071352536






THE PEARL OF PATIENCE BY CHARLES SPURGEON JAMES 5;11 41 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=310171747439



If you are receiving this email for the first time and would like to keep on receiving them, please send an email to keitherichobkirk@hotmail.com, stating your name and location.[/size]

[size=19]PSALM 32 VS 5-7 



I acknowledged my sin to you,
    and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly
    offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
    they shall not reach him.
7 You are a hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from trouble;
    you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah


 COME ,CONFESS- DON'T COVER


We saw in verses 3-4, the pain that unconfessed sin causes the believer, his whole body is in agony, his/her spiritual life is in a mess.


To be in fellowship with God, we need to do certain things, we need to remember that first of all, when we fall, we have an advocate with the father 1 John 2;1-2.


We need to remember that we need to yield our members to Christ, so that sin becomes less and less in us Romans chs 6-8


To acknowledge our sin, means to have the same attitude to sin that God has, sin is absolutely disgusting to God, it is us saying, yes, I have failed and now I think of sin as disgusting, it becomes an affront to me.


Acknowledging our sin, means coming to terms with ourselves and humbling ourselves, it means getting rid of all our pride and arrogance.


In Chapter 1 of the Book of 1 John, we are given a great treatise of sin and how to deal with it, covering sin, means we are not living in the light, but acknowledgement and confession means we are living in the light. In chapter 1 verse 9, we are given a great promise, but also a great command.


We need to come to the cross and confess, we don't have to be afraid, look at Adam and Eve in the garden, they hid themselves, letting sin go unconfessed leads to further trouble, one little sin leads to bigger sins and soon it is out of control.


We can come and confess, because God is a hiding place for us, he is our Father .. amen.


The invitation is there, God is your hiding place, don't hide your sin, go to the Father and make him your hiding place.


There is forgiveness, if you have fallen and let me tell you, you will.


Come and confess.. don't cover your sin and iniquity


God bless you


KK


GUEST DEVOTION




[size=19]How Sorry Are You?
From:                      Ron Hawks 
If we confess our sins [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness…1 John 1:9.” 
When you do something wrong, are you willing to admit it?  Some people seem to live as if they never do anything wrong - or should I say they don't ever say they are sorry.  Others deny that what they have done is wrong.  They simply cannot admit it.  A number of others choose to rationalize what they may have done.  They are always explaining away their actions or motives.  Still others hide and cover their sinful or unfitting activity.
The Bible tells us a better way.  We need to learn to clearly, simply, specifically and honestly admit our wrongs.  It says that "If we confess our sins [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)  We are also told to "Confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that we can be healed." (James 5:16) We will do well to honestly face up to what we have wrongly done.
If you want your confession to be received, and if you really want to change, be honest and "go low."  Clearly admit what you have done.  Don't stop there; describe what you would rather do, or how you would rather behave.  This describes your repentance - your change of mind and/or action.  If you don't know exactly how to make the changes that are necessary, don't pretend you do know what to do or blindly hope that some magical change will simply happen.   Instead, admit your ignorance, and humbly ask for help.  This demonstrates a contrite heart.  Both God and people are drawn to humble penitence.
Denial and defensiveness are slipcovers for hardness of heart.  Honest, humble repentance, however, is the uncovering of a soft heart before God and people. When was the last time that you admitted your wrong activity in such a way that those who heard could see/feel you humble, teachable heart?
Learning to "Go Low" with you, Pastor Tom


Dear friend

Thanks for reading the devotions/prayer requests, if you have got this far, you have been blessed, now what firstly Obey.

Then share, if you have been blessed, others will be too. Please place these devotions on your Facebook groups/profile, send to your friends/contacts and share with your church

Below you can soak into the richness of the word of God, 4 sermons, the best of puritan/today's preaching, nearly 2 hours to let God's word soak into your spirit. Psalm 119 and Colossians 3;16

If you have got this by forward and are wondering, who I am, my name is Keith, and I am a devotional writer, who has been writing devotions for 18 years. If you wish to receive my devotions on a regular basis, or send me a prayer request, please email me at keitherichobkirk@hotmail.com

SOAK IN SCRIPTURE[/size]

OVER TWO HOURS OF PURE BLISS
THE FIRST PASSOVER BY JONATHAN HUNT EXODUS 12 39 MINUTES
https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=4261919901950
GO TO THE ONE IN CHARGE BY DAVID CUNNINGHAM 2 KINGS 6 40 MINUTES
https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=11321152261701
THE PRAYER THAT BRINGS REVIVAL BY RICHARD CALDWELL PSALM 32;6 62 MINUTES
https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=102404145326
THE HAND OF JESUS BY JAMES SMITH MATTHEW 9 5 MINUTES[/size]

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=319151655371

Please use these prayer requests as a guideline to pray for China,  please use these points as a guide to pray for China. They are not set-in stone; they are a guideline to help you. Please use them every day of the year


God has moved mightily in China, but there is much to be done. The church has made much progress, but constantly needs your prayers, this is a ferocious battle going on , a battle that we can only win on our knees.


Are you prepared to join us?


Some suggestions for how to use the prayer needs;


Print them out and keep them in your bible
Please pray as a family group
Please form a prayer meeting for China maybe in your home and invite interested friends
Please start a prayer group in your church
Please place these requests in your Facebook profile/group
Please tweet the individual prayer requests, they are short enough to tweet
Buy the book Operation China to pray for China and check out the website Joshuaproject.net
Invite a speaker to come and speak about the Persecuted church
Share with your friends and contacts


FINALLY 
Make a commitment to pray every day for China


If you have done any of this, please let me know, this is deadly serious work, we are treading on Satan's ground, we are taking him on head on Ephesians 6;10-12



 
SUNDAY
 
PREACHING and PERSECUTION  1 Peter 3;13-17 2 Timothy 4:1-5 John 15:18-27
 
Please pray for the pastors who faithfully preach the word , that they would be strengthened and that the word that is preached would produce much fruit.


Please pray for many pastors as they are under severe pressure to compromise, many have been invited to take tea with officials. Please pray for steadfastness and strength John 15 and Psalm 126


The church is not afraid of persecution, please pray that the church would grow through it all and that it would be purified by it. Remember the believers suffering in prison Hebrews 13:3 1 Cor 12:26
 
MONDAY
 
FAMILY Ephesians 5;22-33 Colossians 3 Proverbs 3;1-12


Please for the Christian family, may China see the beauty of Christian homes, where Christ and his word are the centre. May every Christian home have a family altar and be centred around the word of God


Please pray for the many brothers and sisters who have unsaved spouses. Pray that their lives are a living example of Christ's love 1 Peter 3. If all of the unsaved spouses were saved, it would add millions to be saved, please pray for many to be saved


China has an increasing divorce rate; many husbands and wives live apart for much of the year. Please pray for the family unit to be central to Chinese society and for the church to be centred around the family unit. 
 
TUESDAY
 
FELLOWSHIP Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:32-37 Romans 12;9-13


Please pray that the church would have a deep love for each other and that it would be unified around the gospel.


Our vision is that every single housing complex, of which there are 20 within a mile radius of us, to have bible study groups in them, these would be led by people in that complex. Please pray people would open their homes and be trained in the things of God.


Please pray for every online bible study that goes on in China, including ours on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday at 5.30am




 
WEDNESDAY
 
OUTREACH Matthew 28:16-20 Proverbs 11；30 Acts 8;26-40


There are nearly 100 million believers in China, but over 1 billion remain unsaved. Please pray for a move of the spirit like no other in History


Please pray that every people group would hear the gospel, the word of God says that every tribe and people group would be in heaven, please use Joshuaproject.net and buy the book Operation China by Paul Hattaway. Adopt a people group and pray


Please pray for the millions trapped in false religions like Buddhism and Islam and for the millions of Atheists and CCP members who are lost and are trapped in ideological nothingness


Please pray for the one-to-one sharing of the gospel, that God would open up divine opportunities to share the gospel on a daily basis and that we would share and show the gospel in both word and deed, in compassion and love
 

 
THURSDAY
 
MEN 1 Cor 16;13 2 Timothy 2:14-26 Titus 1;5-9


Please pray as the church is overwhelmingly made up of women, please pray that men would be called and that they would become servant leaders and instruments of God's power within the home and the church.


Please pray that more men would be called to preach and share, lots of the preaching is done by women, because there aren't any men in the church or because they simply won't serve.


Please pray that Christian men, would show forth a Godly manliness that would impact other men. Please pray that God would bring millions of men into his church




 
FRIDAY
 
FUTURE Joshua 24;15 Deut 6:20-25  Proverbs 22:6


Please pray for the children of China, atheism is taught in schools. Please pray for the Christian children who are under severe pressure to conform, it costs to be a child and a Christian in China


Please pray for the teenage ages upwards, they are in great need. Please pray for the many who go abroad to study, that they would be touched by the gospel whilst abroad.


Please pray for the colleges and university students in China, that they would hear and respond to the gospel. May bible study groups be founded in every university
 
SATURDAY
 
GENERAL Ephesians 6;10-18  2 Thess 3;1-3 Philippians 1:9-11


The church in China, is under severe pressure, dangerous forces want to completely destroy the church, it is in the middle of spiritual warfare. Please pray that the church puts on its spiritual armour every day and stands strong in God's power and presence.


Please pray that the church outside China would be mobilised to pray and to reach out, you probably have a university near you with Chinese students in them, you probably have some Chinese people in your neighbourhood, please reach out to them. Maybe, you can't do this, but you can pray


Please pray that every single Chinese person would be able to hear the gospel, please pray for a massive revival inside the Chinese church that would impact the world and change China


The church is in a bitter winter, but all winters end. Please pray that the church would come out of this stronger and that through Jesus is lifted up and would draw millions to himself










GUEST DEVOTION

[th] [size=40]Weapon of Prayer[/size] Their prayer came to his holy habitation in heaven.2 Chronicles 30:27 Prayer is the never-failing response of the Christian in any case, in every plight. When you cannot use your sword, you may take up the weapon of prayer. Your powder may be damp, your bowstring may be relaxed, but the weapon of prayer need never be out of order. Satan laughs at the javelin, but he trembles at prayer. Swords and spears need to be sharpened, but prayer never rusts; and when we think it most blunt, it cuts the best. Prayer is an open door that no one can shut. Devils may surround you on all sides, but the way upward is always open, and as long as that road is unobstructed, you will not fall into the enemy's hand.We can never be taken by siege or invasion as long as heavenly help can come down to us and relieve us in the time of our necessities. Prayer is never out of season: In summer and in winter its merchandise is precious. Prayer gains audience with heaven in the dead of night, in the middle of business, in the heat of noonday, in the shades of evening. In every condition, whether poverty or sickness or obscurity or slander or doubt, your covenant God will welcome your prayer and answer it from His holy place.And prayer is never futile. True prayer is always true power. You may not always get what you ask, but you shall always have your real needs supplied. When God does not answer His children according to the letter, He does so according to the spirit. If you ask for cornmeal, will you be angry because He gives you fine flour? If you seek physical health, should you complain if instead He makes your sickness result in your spiritual health? Is it not better to have the cross sanctified than removed? This evening, my soul, do not forget to offer your petition and request, for the Lord is ready to grant your desires. [/th]

[th]

Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright :copyright: 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth For Life with written permission.

[/th]

[size=16]PSALM 32


[size=12]3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.


WHEN SILENCE IS NOT GOLDEN


There was a song many years ago, that was called Silence is golden, and indeed it is good that we keep quiet sometimes.


Being silent, when it comes to confessing sin is not golden though, for several reasons.
First of all, we can't hide things from God, he sees absolutely everything. Sometimes I do something and then the next time I read my bible, here is a verse or passage that puts its finger right on the point of my sin and the holy spirit convicts me and then I confess it and can be restored to full happiness and relationship with God.


We need to realise that to live in sin is to live in complete misery, Christians who live in sin and are trapped in unforgiveness are probably the most miserable people on earth, look at the state of David in verses 3-4, he was an emotional and physical wreck, he was roaring, he was totally out of control and worst of all the hand of the lord was heavy upon him.


If I have unconfessed sin in my life, then I am almost impossible to be around, until I come in repentance to the foot of the cross and humble myself under Gods mighty hand and confess it. Please read 1 John 1;1-2;2


The joy of true communion with God is matchless, Christian, don't throw it away because you are stubborn and refuse to come to the throne of grace and seek forgiveness, there is a place of plenteous mercy ready and waiting for you.


Please read the rest of the Psalm and also psalm 51


Be like the man in verses 1-2, who is blessed because his sin is forgiven, but remember to be forgiven,  you have to come and confess and then you can be clean.


God bless you


KK



GUEST DEVOTION


[/size][/size]

[size][size]





Dear friend


Thanks for reading the devotions/prayer requests, if you have got this far, you have been blessed, now what firstly Obey.


Then share, if you have been blessed, others will be too. Please place these devotions on your Facebook groups/profile, send to your friends/contacts and share with your church


Below you can soak into the richness of the word of God, 4 sermons, the best of puritan/today's preaching, nearly 2 hours to let God's word soak into your spirit. Psalm 119 and Colossians 3;16


If you have got this by forward and are wondering, who I am, my name is Keith, and I am a devotional writer, who has been writing devotions for 18 years. If you wish to receive my devotions on a regular basis, or send me a prayer request, please email me at keitherichobkirk@hotmail.com





SOAK IN SCRIPTURE.. OVER 2 HOURS OF PURE BLISS
THE MOTHER AND MISTRESS OF SIN BY JC PHILPOT 5 MINUTES


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=31409116497



WHEN I KEPT SILENCE BY WILLIAM SCOTT PSALM 32;3 40 MINUTES



https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=61191921134499


WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SIN BY PHIL JOHNSON 1 JOHN 3  56MINUTES

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=830101548301


THE TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM WHO CALLED US BY ANTHONY MANTHNIA 
2 PETER 1;1-11 50 MINUTES

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=830121613424
[/size]
[/size]

PSALM 32

VERSES 1-2

[size=19]Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit, there is no deceit.


WHO IS TRULY BLESSED?


We ask who is truly happy and blessed.


We have many motivational speakers who seek to make people happier, religions that seek to make people happy or blessed. but it is only in the bible and in the person of Jesus Christ, that men and women be truly blessed and find the deepest happiness.


Man has a deep and ongoing problem and that is sin, it taints him, taunts him and has torn him away from God. Sin is a disease that is worse than Covid, as everybody has this disease and the result of sin is death and separation from God.


Through Jesus we can find forgiveness, through his precious blood and his sacrifice on the cross. amen.


The bible has three words here doing wrong;  sin, transgression and iniquity, here they are dealt with.


When God dealt with sin, he dealt with it completely, the cross of Christ, dealt with all three aspects detailed here.


Transgression is individual sin, each and every individual sin we have ever committed is forgiven, when God saves us, he forgives all of sin, how glorious and wonderful is that.


Our sin, which means missing the mark has been covered, Paul quotes this in Romans 4;7. What is that covering? It is the precious blood of Christ. In the Old testament, the covering was the sacrificial system, but now there is a better covering and covenant Psalm 85;2. We now have the righteousness of Christ credited to our account 2 Cor 5;17-21


Iniquity means a sinful lifestyle, but God remembers that no more, our past to God is completely forgiven and forgotten. Look at Psalm 103, what God does is incredible. Please read this Psalm, it shows that God deals completely with Sin.. all of it.


So, we are forgiven, what happens? We live a life that is pleasing to God, a life that is empty of deceit. A person forgiven lives a life that is free of deceit.


Forgiveness from God frees us from the twin power of Sin, it breaks these bonds and allows us to live in a way that is pleasing to God.


Have you been forgiven?, if you have, then you are truly blessed.


If you are reading this and haven't been forgiven, then there is mercy and grace waiting for you.


Come to the cross, the only place where sin can be washed away.


God bless you


kk


SERMONS
[/size]
DO MEN MAKE THEIR OWN GODS ? BY CHARLES SPURGEON JEREMIAH 16:20

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=17102237160


THE BEST WAY TO BE HOLY BY THOMAS BROOKS JOEL 2:12

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=1710229358


CHRIST AND THE CITIES OF REFUGE BY CHALAN HETHERINGTON JOSHUA 20

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=1221201646402292

WE PERSUADE MEN BY LESTER HUTSON 2 COR 5;10-15

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=101217114445


GUEST DEVOTION

DR RC Sproul

Sin

[size=19]Sin can be pictured as an archer releasing an arrow from his bow and missing the target. It is not, of course, that failure to hit the bull's-eye in target shooting is a grave moral matter. Rather, the simplest biblical definition of sin is "to miss the mark." In biblical terms, the mark that is missed is not a target filled with straw; it is the mark or "norm" of God's law. God's law expresses His own righteousness and is the ultimate standard for our behavior. When we miss achieving this standard, we sin.
The Bible speaks of the universality of sin in terms of missing the mark of God's glory. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). To say that "nobody's perfect" or "to err is human" is to acknowledge the universality of sin. We are all sinners in need of redemption.
Sin has been defined as "any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature." In this definition there are three crucial dimensions. First, sin is a lack or want of conformity. It is nonconformity to the law of God. A sin of omission is a failure to do what God commands. If God commands us to love our neighbour and we fail to do so, that is sin.
Second, sin is defined as a transgression of the law. To transgress the law is to cross its boundaries, to overstep its limits. Hence, we sometimes describe sin as a "trespass." We walk where we are not permitted to walk. Here we speak of sins of commission whereby we commit actions prohibited by God. When God's law is pronounced in negative terms, "You shall not," and we do what is disallowed, we commit sin.
Third, sin is an action performed by reasonable creatures. As creatures made in the image of God, we are free moral agents. Because we have a mind and a will, we are capable of moral action. When we do what we know is wrong, we choose to disobey God's law and sin.
Protestantism rejects the classic distinction in Roman Catholic theology between venial and mortal sin. Traditional Catholic theology defines a mortal sin as a sin that "kills" grace in the soul and requires renewed justification through the sacrament of penance. A venial sin is sin of a less serious sort. It does not destroy saving grace.
John Calvin declared that all sin against God is mortal sin in that it deserves death, but no sin is mortal in the sense that it destroys our justification by faith. Protestantism affirms that all sin is serious. Even the smallest sin is an act of rebellion against God. Every sin is an act of cosmic treason, a futile attempt to dethrone God in His sovereign authority.
However, the Bible still regards some sins as more heinous than others. There are degrees of wickedness even as there will be degrees of punishment rendered at the bar of God's justice. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for omitting the weightier matters of the law and warned the towns of Bethsaida and Chorazin that their sin was worse than that of Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 11:20-24).
The Bible also warns us about the guilt incurred from multiple sins. Though James teaches that to sin against one part of the law is to sin against the whole law (James 2:10), nevertheless there is added guilt with each particular transgression. Paul admonishes us against heaping up or treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath (Romans 2:1-11). With each sin we commit we add to our guilt and exposure to the wrath of God. Nevertheless, the grace of God is greater than all our guilt combined.
The Bible takes sin seriously because it takes God seriously and it takes human beings seriously. When we sin against God, we do violence to His holiness. When we sin against our neighbour, we violate his or her humanity.
[/size][list=ltr]
[*]The biblical meaning of sin is to miss the mark of God's righteousness.

[*]All human beings are sinners.

[*]Sin involves a failure to conform to (omission) and a transgression of (commission) the law of God.

[*]Only moral agents can be guilty of sin.

[*]Protestantism rejects the distinction between mortal and venial sin but affirms the gradation of sin.

[*]Each sin committed incurs greater guilt.

[*]Sin violates God and people.

[/list]

[size=16]SPECIAL NOTICE


Soon, we will be sending out the special China prayer guide, three short requests for each day, so that you can pray effectively for China


Please get your church involved in this venture, if any friends want to receive directly from me ask them to email me at this email address


KIRIBATI


Location: Pacific Ocean




Population 125,000




Christians: around 10,000


These islands are in severe danger because of global warming and rising sea levels, please pray that this would make many of these islanders aware of the severity and grace of God.


Please pray for a wave of revival that would stir the once active church and that the believers would live holy lives to glorify God


Please pray that strong Biblical foundations would be laid and that the gospel would be preached in power all over Kiribati.


Many of the islanders travel across the pacific to find work, please pray that they would find Jesus.


Please pray for young people, sex before marriage is rampant, please pray that God would raise up a generation of holy young people 




SERMONS

THE WRATH OF GOD BY THOMAS BOSTON[/size]

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=91308105436



THE IMMUTABILITY OF GOD BY JOHN MACDUFF

https://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.asp?SID=225161614461



LOT'S WIFE- A PICTURE OF A HESISTANT SINNER BY CARIN SALT GENESIS 19;26

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=1262016312511




A MAN WORTH FOLLOWING BY PAUL GIBSON ACTS 21:19-26

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=9202011475589

GUEST DEVOTION

[size=26][size=16][size=48][size=19]My Manna[/size]




"Return, Israel, to the Lord your God.Your sins have been your downfall!Take words with you and return to the Lord.Say to him:“Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously,that we may offer the fruit of our lips." Hosea 14:2.

How do we deal with demandingness? 

We must repent of it. 
Our passage today tells us how. 

First:
Return!

"Return to the LORD." 

The key to ridding ourselves of anything that is spiritually injurious is to return to God. 

The pursuit of God involves a shift away from dependence on one's own resources to dependence on God. 

Doing good and correcting wrong behavior does not automatically make us good people. 

Obedience is extremely important, but it must be accompanied by deep, heart repentance.

Second:
Repent!

The passage says: "Take words of repentance with you."

This phrase means that we must put into words a clear description of what we are repenting of. 

If we are not clear about what is going on inside us, how can we repent of it? 

Next: 
Receive!

"Forgive all our sin." 
Repentance puts us in touch with God's forgiveness. 

We can work to bring about change also-
- but the greatest catalyst for change is humbly positioning ourselves before God and asking for His forgiveness.


Then: 
Rejoice!

"Accept what is good, so that we may repay You with praise from our lips."

The thought here is: 
"Receive us that we may worship You more effectively."

The purpose of all restoration is to worship God. 

We will be drawn into true worship when we give up insisting on our own way and learn to trust God for our own happiness. 

When repentance moves us from a spirit of demandingness to absolute trust in God-
- then we are in the place where God is able to make our feet like "hinds' feet," 
- and equip us with the ability to ascend into the heights with Him.



"Tender and skillful Invader of my heart, I yield my stricken being to You for healing.Drain every drop of demandingness from my being. For I want not only to be better but to be whole. In Jesus' Name. Amen." [/size][/size][/size]

GUEST DEVOTION

PASTOR MICHAEL WEIS

[size=19]2 Timothy 3:16-17
[/size][size]
 
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
 
Paul addresses his last letter to his young pastor and disciple, Timothy.  Paul was going to be martyred soon for the faith.  His last exhortation to this young man and his friend focuses on God’s word.  While the context refers to the Old Testament, it also refers to the things written in the first century by the Apostles, known as the New Testament.  He tells Timothy that all of God’s word is inspired, or “exhaled from God” that is, through men with their own personality to write what He wanted without error in the original texts and we have excellent copies today.  Paul says the Bible is sufficient for a man, or woman of God to be equipped for every good work in this life.  
 
Paul wanted young Timothy to have the conviction that God’s word is true, adequate, authoritative, applicable and useful.  He wanted Timothy to have the conviction that the Bible alone is GOD’S WORD and the confidence it was what it claimed to be.  While other resources are useful, the Bible stands alone!  When a preacher or teacher believes God’s word to be what it is, he has the confidence to proclaim it without fear because he knows it is the means which God uses to change the hearts of people.  This is not having confidence in oneself, but in the One who has always been and will always be.  
 
Do we have this confidence in God’s word?  Do we believe it is what it says it is or do we think we need something more?  While medicine is needed at times, do we think we need more pills?  Do we need a “new revelation” or a “feeling” from God?  God gives no new revelation, but illumination out of His word.  So many Christians are powerless today or have fallen into sin because we don’t have the conviction that God’s word is from Him.  I include myself.  If we had the conviction and confidence that the Bible is something God wrote and is sufficient for all of life, our lives would be drastically changed!  May He grant that to us!  Even if we don’t fully understand it, it is still God’s word and we should obey it.  
 
For most of us however, including myself, our confidence is usually in ourselves, our plans, our intellect, wisdom, money, desires or goals.  We leave out our Lord and His word, though not completely at times.  We want to do things “our way” and sometimes God says “ok” and we fall flat on our faces, sometimes literally.  But don’t mistake conviction and confidence someone has in the Bible as arrogance, pride or stubbornness.  No, not at all!  We must hold fast to it for as the old saying goes, “If we do not stand for something, we will fall for anything.”  Only when we have the conviction God’s word is His word, then we will have the confidence to proclaim it and live it out by His grace and through His power without fearing the consequences.  
 
2 Peter 1:20-21 – But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.[/size]

[th] [size=40]On Whose Side Are You?[/size] And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,and all flesh shall see it together.Isaiah 40:5 We anticipate the happy day when every knee will bow before Christ; when the gods of the heathen shall be cast to the moles and the bats; when empty religion will be exploded, and the crescent of Mohammed will topple, never again to cast its harmful rays upon the nations; when kings shall worship before the Prince of Peace, and all nations shall call the Redeemer blessed. Some despair of this. They look on the world as a ship breaking up and going to pieces, never to float again. We know that the world and all that is in it will one day be burned up, and afterwards we look for new heavens and for a new earth; but we cannot read our Bibles without the conviction that—Jesus shall reign where'er the sunDoth his successive journeys run.We are not discouraged by the length of His delays; we are not disheartened by the long period that He assigns to the church in which to struggle with little success and much defeat. We believe that God will never tolerate this world, which has once seen Christ's blood shed upon it, remaining as the devil's stronghold. Christ came here to deliver this world from the detested sway of the powers of darkness. What a shout that will be when men and angels unite to cry "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God Almighty reigns".1What a satisfaction it will be in that day to have had a part in the fight, to have helped to break the arrows of the bow, and to have shared in winning the victory for our Lord! Happy are those who entrust themselves to this conquering Lord, and who fight side by side with Him doing their part in His name and by His strength! How unhappy are those on the side of evil! It is a losing side, and it is a matter in which to lose is to lose and to be lost forever. On whose side are you?1) Revelation 19:6 [/th]

[th]

Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth For Life with written permission.

[/th]

Special notice, it's Christmas and so I would ask at this time, that you don't forget your brothers and sisters in China. Christmas is not celebrated officially, but many churches including ours will have celebrations and they need God's protection. Please pray for this and for many to come to know Christ personally. This is always the most dangerous time of year for the Chinese church, we are told to watch and pray, don't let your guard down, the devil never takes a holiday.


KEEP CHINA IN YOUR PRAYERS




PLEASE PRAY FOR TUNISIA




[size=16][size=19]Challenges for Prayer
[/size]

[b][size=19]https://prayercast.com/tunisia.html[/b][/size]

 

  

 

Please pray for the small and nominal evangelical church. The church is growing, but it needs training and leadership.

 

Please pray that the government would grant the church recognition, and land to build their own church buildings.

 

Please pray for the calling of more tent-making Christians. There are opportunities 

 

There are needy groups, especially the youth. The Arab spring impacted the youth, please pray that their hearts would be open to the gospel.

 

Women have more freedom than in many Arab countries. Please pray that many women would come to know the Saviour and that Christian families would be established.

 

The south of the country is a desert spiritually, Sfax, Tunis, Gabes and Gafsa are needy cities.

 

The Berber community were touched by the gospel once, but now need reaching again.

 

Kairouan is one of the holiest cities in Islam, may these seekers find JESUS.

 

SAT-7 is openly watched in Tunisia. Please pray that much fruit would be gained through these programmes.

 

Pray for Tunisian communities overseas, that they would be reached with the gospel.

 



[size=19]In earlier centuries the Christian Church was wide spread, producing such leaders as Tertullian and Cyprian. Schism, heresy, failures to put roots deep into the local culture and to translate the Bible into local languages, foreign invasions and finally Islam brought about its demise. There are about 500 committed indigenous believers today, but only one-third of those meet together regularly for worship. Pray that a living, growing Church might become a reality again in this land.[/size]


[size=19]Reaching Tunisians by other means.[/size]




[size=19]Scripture translation into the Tunisian dialect of Arabic is in progress, an important task if the gospel is to be clearly heard and understood by all Tunisians. Pray for Tunisian attitudes about their own language, which many view as inferior to modern Arabic.[/size]


[size=19]Some Christian literature is now sold openly, but is not widely available. Pray that the Bible and Christian books might become more widely distributed through bookshops, and that Christian literature be made available throughout the land.[/size]


[size=19]Satellite TV and radio broadcasts are highly effective in reaching Tunisians. There are many programmes in Arabic, and they can reach to the most isolated and private corners of the country.[/size]


[size=19]The JESUS films is available in two translations - Standard Arabic and Tunisian Arabic. Pray for the wide dissemination of this film and the development of a wider ministry of Christian cassettes and videos in Tunisian Arabic. The Passion of the Christ is also in wide circulation.[/size]


[size=19]More than 6.5 million tourists visit Tunisia each year, including those from other Arab states. Music festivals often feature gospel choirs from abroad. Pray for a ministry to Muslim tourists and also for sensitive sharing opportunities for Christians who come as tourists.[/size]







Sermons


CONSTANT RELIGIOUS ENGAGEMENTS BY RUTH BRYAN


https://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.asp?SID=72308134781



THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY BY MARY WIMSLOW


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=1100910101410





THE ONES WHO NEVER DID BY MARK WARD JOSHUA 1;1-9[/size]


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=611171931326



KNOWLEDGE TOO WONDERFUL FOR Words BY JOSEPH ALLEN PSALM 139;1-24


https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=1030201654386209





[size=19]Guest Devotion


[size=19]Disdaining God BY David Ettinger
The world disdains God.

I am defining the word “world” as this earth’s “system” as ordered by Satan. Because Satan reigns in the hearts of unsaved men and women, they are naturally opposed to the things of God as well as those things which contradict the philosophy of the world system.

“Those things” are displayed in the brief but radiant Psalm 8. Let’s look at four truths asserted in this Psalm which oppose the world’s satanic ideology and see why the world hates it.

God Glorified
The opening verse reads: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth.”

Psalm 8 passionately sings God’s praises, giving Him the glory, He deserves. Such atheists as writer Isaac Asimov must have reviled it. He wrote: “To surrender to ignorance and call it God has always been premature, and it remains premature today.” Another reviler would have been preeminent atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair, who said: “There is no God. There’s no heaven. There’s no hell. There are no angels. When you die, you go in the ground, the worms eat you.”

Yet Psalm 8 deflates such derision without apology, constraint, or compromise as it exalts: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendour above the heavens!”

God Proclaimed as Creator
Verse 3 reads: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained …”

The Hebrew word for “ordained” is kuwn, which can also be translated as “established” or “fashioned.” To “fashion” something is to “make” it. God here is proclaimed as the “fashioner” of the heavens, again without constraint, explanation, or hesitance: He is the Creator. Period.

Upon such a declaration do scorn and disgust thrive. Judith Hayes, author of The Happy Heretic, stoutly states: “If we are going to teach ‘creation science’ as an alternative to evolution, then we should also teach the stork theory as an alternative to biological reproduction.” I doubt she is keen on Psalm 8.

Nor is evolutionist Scott D. Weitzenhoffer, who penned this ditty: “Debating creationists on the topic of evolution is rather like trying to play chess with a pigeon; it knocks the pieces over, [poops] on the board, and flies back to its flock to claim victory.”

Yet Psalm 8 rejects such detractors, proudly stating with conviction that God is the creator of all things, and that those who believe it need not recoil because of it.

Man Elevated
Psalm 8:4-5 says: “What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!”

The human race is the acme of God’s creation. The heavens, oceans, and mountains are breathtaking, but pale by comparison to humanity.

This is because God created humanity in His own image (Genesis 1:27), meaning He endowed us with the ability to think His thoughts, respond to His love, and joyfully obey Him.

However, there are those who see humanity differently. British diplomat David Ormsby Gore is one of them: “It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump.”

And Hungarian-British author Arthur Koestler wrote: “The disastrous history of our species indicates the futility of all attempts at a diagnosis which do not take into account the possibility that homo sapiens is a victim of one of evolution’s countless mistakes.”

Mistakes? Psalm 8 contrarily declares man as the product of an all-loving, all-knowing, and all-powerful God.

The Human Race in Partnership with God
Verses 6-8 read: “You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas.”

God has assigned man to watch over His creation, and in so doing, has made man the most intellectually advanced of His creatures. This partnership – God as Creator, man as caretaker – means that man is superior to all other creatures.

Yet, many see humans and nature as equal. Said German sociologist Theodor W. Adorno: “Auschwitz begins wherever someone looks at a slaughterhouse and thinks: they’re only animals.” And Native American tribal chief Sitting Bull said: “Every seed is awakened and so has all animal life. It is through this mysterious power that we too have our being, and we therefore yield to our neighbour's, even our animal neighbours, the same right as ourselves, to inhabit this land.”

Such champions of man/nature equality wince at the man-above-all-creation teaching of Psalm 8.

A Final Word of Praise
Psalm 8 closes as it begins: “O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!” (v. 9).

God’s name is to be praised throughout the universe. Even if man chooses not to praise His name, it nonetheless radiates in resplendent majesty. God’s name is indeed majestic, and He gives man the honour of heralding this sacred truth.

Psalm 8 trumpets God’s greatness and glory, and does so proudly and fearlessly. No wonder it is a Psalm the world hates![/size][/size]

12 QUESTIONS
Happy New year everyone. Growth in grace is an ongoing thing: 2 Peter 3:18. 

Have you grown in grace this past year? It's time to examine your life: 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Here are 12 questions to ask ourselves.- Be honest with yourself and God

1. DO YOU LOVE GOD'S WORD MORE?

Psalm 119:97 – ‘O how love thy law! It is my meditation all the day.’

Do you have a passion for the word of God? I am not asking if you read it more. Has it become like honey to you? Every time you read it, does God speak directly to you? Can you say the same words above? I mean when you are slogging through Leviticus or the first ten chapters of 1 Chronicles, can you say Oh how I love to read the bible

2.  DO YOU LOVE SPENDING TIME IN PRAYER?

Now here is a biggie! I struggle here, I must admit. One minute spent praying is worth a hundred doing anything else. Prayer is the Christian's vital breath; it is his lifeblood. We just talk to our heavenly Father. We talk to the ones we love.. Amen! If we love God, then we will spend more and more time with Him. How much time do we spend communing with God? The average daily time is 7-10 minutes for the average Christian, I ask myself, why is that?. Would you give your wife ten minutes per day?

3. ARE YOU MORE INVOLVED IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE?

If you hadn't noticed, the Christian is a warrior. He/she is engaged in a desperate battle. In Ephesians 6, we are told to arm ourselves with spiritual weapons that will overcome the devil, etc. We need to be in hand-to-hand combat. The Roman soldiers whom Paul saw were always ready to fight. They obeyed their Commanding Officer and would go anywhere to fight for his cause. There is no let-up brothers and sisters; let's be engaged in warfare. Let's say like Paul at the end of his life.. I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT!!!

4. DO YOU LOVE GOD AND YOUR FELLOW BELIEVERS MORE AND MORE?

Jesus said the two greatest commandments were to love God and love your neighbour. Is God our first love or just one of many? This was the problem with the children of Israel. They loved God, but He was just one of many loves. He wants and demands your undiluted love. Do we also have pure love for our brethren, whoever they are? I am in China and can't understand much of what people say and likewise they also of me; but we love each other. There is a powerful and pure love between us. Do you show it to your fellow believers, not just in words but in actions?

5. DO YOU LOVE TO HEAR GOD'S VOICE?

Before Adam and Eve fell, they loved to hear God's voice. It is so sad to hear God's words in the garden.. God calls to them when they are hiding. This year when God speaks, let us not say like Adam:. "I am afraid because of some sin," but like Samuel, who said: "Speak Lord for thy servant hears." When God speaks to us, may we have open ears and eager hearts. Jesus says “My sheep hear My voice and they love to hear it..” HOW SWEET IS THE VOICE OF GOD TO THE BELIEVER.? AMEN. HOW SWEET IS IT TO YOU MY FRIEND?

6. DO YOU SHARE THE GOSPEL MORE?

The Great Commission is to share the gospel with people in our locality. Some of us, like me, have been called to China. You may not be called to some far country. You may still live in the same neighbourhood that you were born in, but the Commission remains the same. Go out and share the gospel! We are not to stay in our comfortable churches and expect people to come to us. Remember. what we do is a CO-MISSION, between you and God. It is God's power filling weak vessels like us. Have you spoken to anyone about the gospel this year? Have you invited anyone to church this year?

7. DO YOU LOVE THE WORLD LESS?

1 John 2:15 –“ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Do we obey this command? To obey this command, we truly need to be loving Jesus more. In the words of the chorus:

TURN YOUR EYES OPEN JESUS

LOOK FULL IN HIS WONDERFUL FACE

AND THE THINGS OF THE WORLD

WILL GROW STRANGELY DIM

IN THE LIGHT OF HUS GLORY AND GRACE.

www.casgv.org/Hymnary/Hymnary-H509.pps）

Do we love the world less or more than we did last year?

What do you spend your time doing?

Do you spend more time on worldly or heavenly things?

8. ARE YOU IN FULL CONTROL OF YOUR WORDS?

The tongue is called an unruly evil in James 3. Are you more in control of your tongue than you were last year? One of the evidences of a growing Christian is that you are in control of your tongue. Are your words sweeter than last year? We ask what is the defining quality of a Christian? In my estimation, it is the ability through the Holy Spirit to control his/her tongue


9. ARE YOU MORE OBEDIENT TO GOD?i

Jesus says ”If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Obedience to God is one of the greatest characteristics of the Christian. As we said earlier, Paul talks about the Roman soldier. These soldiers obeyed their Commanding Officer. Are you obeying your Commander? - God himself?. Obedience to the commands and call of God is essential to progress in the Christian life. Has God called you to do something this year and you are still refusing?. It is time to obey that call, don't make excuses like Jonah and Moses did, although they obeyed, it took God to virtually twist their arm to get them to obey.

10. IS THERE A GREATER EXCELLENCE IN ALL YOU DO?

Ephesians 6:5-9 and Colossians 3:17 give us a blueprint for living: We are to do all for the glory of God. Whether it is washing up or preaching, we are to do everything for His glory. If we are washing, we should wash up as if Jesus was going to drink out of that cup or glass. Is our work done in an a more excellent way than it was last year?

11. DO YOU WEEP FOR SOULS MORE AND IN REPENTANCE?

I love Jeremiah; he wept so much. But he is not the only one who weeps in scripture. Our Saviour weeps at the grave of Lazarus. We need to cry over our sin... we need to be in sorrow for our sin. We need to have compassion like Jesus had for a world that is dying.. He wept over Jerusalem. Look at Paul in Romans 9:1-3, and his pain for his own people, Israel. Do you have the same pain for your community and country? When was the last time you cried in repentance? When was the last time you cried to God in prayer for your family, community and country? This year has been terrible, Covid has devasted many countries and communities, do we weep for them?

12. DO YOU HAVE A DEEPER WONDER ABOUT YOUR SALVATION?

It has been 45 years since I first trusted Christ. It is incredible to me that God loves me and that He sent His Son to die for someone like me. Has the wonder of your salvation grown in the last year? Ever wonder why God should pour his love, mercy and grace upon you? I do.

David prayed that he wouldn't lose the joy of his salvation. I hope you still have the wonder of a little child when it comes to your salvation. I hope it is something that brings you joyful amazement, joyful wonder, and makes you raise your voice in praise to your Saviour.

There are other questions you can ask yourself, but these are a good way to start.

When we get to the end of 2021, may we be able to answer all the questions, by saying "YES I have."

God bless you,

Keith


SERMONS

Ecclesiastes 7:8 by Charles Spurgeon

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=1214161942473

2 Samuel 2:26 by Charles Spurgeon

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=1214161915189

SEEKING GOD BY JASON PARKER PSALM 63

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=102918238432

HAND ME A TOWEL, PLEASE BY MARK WARD JOHN 13

https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=611171211610

GUEST DEVOTION

A “Stop Doing” List

“But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women.  On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come, it is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance…1 Timothy 4:7-8.”

It’s that time of year again - time for me to make my list.  No, not my New Year’s “to do” list of resolutions, but one far more significant - my “not to do” list.  Call it my New Year’s non-resolutions.

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, our problem isn’t the “what I need to do” piece–-that comes easy.  We all know what we would like to be different.  What eludes our thinking is what has been keeping us from pursuing the various resolutions in the first place.  Most of the time, it is because of something we are doing. 

This is far from original to my thinking.  Though I have followed this simple discipline in one form or another intuitively for years, it was an address by former Stanford professor and current author and business consultant Jim Collins that put it into direct application form.  He later published those ideas in his bestselling book, “Good to Great” (2001).

Think of reading.  Many would like to resolve that in the coming year they will read more.  Those who are savvy about themselves know they will need to sharpen that up a bit and be specific:  “I would like to read twenty-five books this year.”  Some will go further and categorize the twenty-five books into categories, such as five books in history, five in biography, and so on. 

But those who will actually read twenty-five books this year will tend to be those who accompany their resolution with an accompanying change in lifestyle.  It isn’t enough to simply want to read more; you have to also decide to spend less time on the internet, or watch fewer DVD’s, or limit yourself to American Idol and season four of Lost, but no more.

There are only twenty-four hours in a day, seven days in a week, and 52 weeks in a year.  Time is finite, which means something has to give.  It’s not about whether you can read more, exercise more, pray more – it’s whether you will decide to invest your time accordingly.  You have the time – it’s simply a matter of reallocating it toward what you most want to do, and be.

A great deal of our lives – the people we want to become, the impact we want to make – is tied not simply to desire, but whether we will exercise disciplined ambition.  Desire is simply longing, or wishing.  Ambition has to do with such desire becoming focused on an objective, and thus resulting in someone driven toward a particular goal.  Discipline has to do with a management of life which results in self-control, orderliness and efficiency.  

In truth, desire alone is little more than a dream.  Ambition, by itself, can be little more than a “loose cannon” of activity.  And even the most disciplined of lives often result in little more than structure, achieving little or nothing at all.

We need a hunger for something more for our lives, and through our lives, for this world; we need an ambition that refuses to be satisfied until we reach our full potential, and chase God through every opportunity we can imagine; and we need to exercise the kind of discipline that exerts the necessary life-change to see those opportunities realized.

So, let’s make our annual, New Year’s “to do” lists.  Desire, and even ambition, will lead the way.  But if you want anything on your list to happen, add a good dose of discipline.  Which means that along with your “to do” list, you’ll make a list of another kind.

A “stop doing” list.

James Emery White

~Cheers~
 
Our Lord gave us many reasons to be cheerful. 
*There are three cheers to remember that bring
 joy to our hearts.
 
The first one is when our 
Lord said, "Be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee."
With these words of the Master, one was forgiven and 
set free. They were told to be joyful. We can know the 
same words apply to us  when we receive our Lord and 
Savior and his amazing grace.
 

Another cheer spoken by the Savior was when He said, 
"It is I, be not afraid." Jesus still walks on the 
water today and through the storms of our lives to say,
 "I'm here, you don't need to fear,"  as He speaks to us 
through His Spirit and Word.
 

The Lord also gives us a cheer of freedom. Jesus tells us, 
"Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." In Christ, 
we also have power to overcome the world, the flesh, and 
the devil. Jesus has already won the war. We have read the 
back of the book. If we endure until the end. Believers are 
assured victory in Jesus and an eternal home in heaven.
 

What a Mighty God we serve! He still tells us to be of good 
cheer today!  We can sing for joy.....for the joy of the Lord 
is truly our strength!
 

Blessings In Christ,
Jo Ann Kelly ........2018, 2006
J. P.'s Inspirations


The Consequence of Disobedience
But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa.
Jonah 1:3

Instead of going to Nineveh to preach the Word, as God told him, Jonah disliked the work and went down to Joppa to escape from it. There are occasions when God's servants shrink from duty. But what is the consequence? What did Jonah lose by his conduct? He lost the presence and comfortable enjoyment of God's love. When we serve our Lord Jesus as believers should do, God is with us; and though we have the whole world against us, if we have God with us, what does it matter? But the moment we retreat and seek to establish our own agenda, we are at sea without a pilot. Then we will bitterly lament and groan out, "O my God, where have You gone? How could I have been so foolish as to shun Your service, and in this way lose all the bright shinings of Your face? This is a price too high. Let me return to my allegiance, that I may rejoice in Your presence."

In the next place, Jonah lost all peace of mind. Sin soon destroys a believer's comfort. It is the poisonous tree whose leaves distill deadly drops that destroy the life of joy and peace. Jonah lost everything upon which he might have drawn for comfort in any other case. He could not plead the promise of divine protection, for he was not in God's ways; he could not say, "Lord, I meet with these difficulties in the discharge of my duty; therefore help me through them." He was reaping his own deeds; he was filled with his own ways.

Christian, do not play the Jonah unless you wish to have all the waves and the billows rolling over your head. You will find in the long run that it is far harder to shun the work and will of God than to at once yield yourself to it. Jonah lost his time, for he had to go to Tarshish after all. It is hard to contend with God; let us yield ourselves to Him immediately.

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Exodus 8
Luke 11
Job 25, 26
1 Corinthians 12
Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth For Life with written permission.