Christ Reigns

Safety in the time of Citywide Judgement

2009-03-08T23:09:00.004Z

Safety in a time of citywide Judgement

Ezekiel 9. NLT 1st edition

Eze 9:1 Then the LORD thundered, "Bring on the men appointed to punish the city! Tell them to bring their weapons with them!"
Eze 9:2 Six men soon appeared from the upper gate that faces north, each carrying a battle club in his hand. One of them was dressed in linen and carried a writer's case strapped to his side. They all went into the Temple courtyard and stood beside the bronze altar.
Eze 9:3 Then the glory of the God of Israel rose up from between the cherubim, where it had rested, and moved to the entrance of the Temple. And the LORD called to the man dressed in linen who was carrying the writer's case.
Eze 9:4 He said to him, "Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all those who weep and sigh because of the sins they see around them."
Eze 9:5 Then I heard the LORD say to the other men, "Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity!
Eze 9:6 Kill them all – old and young, girls and women and little children. But do not touch anyone with the mark. Begin your task right here at the Temple." So they began by killing the seventy leaders.
Eze 9:7 "Defile the Temple!" the LORD commanded. "Fill its courtyards with the bodies of those you kill! Go!" So they went throughout the city and did as they were told.
Eze 9:8 While they were carrying out their orders, I was all alone. I fell face down in the dust and cried out, "O Sovereign LORD! Will your fury against Jerusalem wipe out everyone left in Israel?"
Eze 9:9 Then he said to me, "The sins of the people of Israel and Judah are very great. The entire land is full of murder; the city is filled with injustice. They are saying, 'The LORD doesn't see it! The LORD has forsaken the land!'
Eze 9:10 So I will not spare them or have any pity on them. I will fully repay them for all they have done."
Eze 9:11 Then the man in linen clothing, who carried the writer's case, reported back and said, "I have finished the work you gave me to do."

Testimony Time

2009-03-04T06:29:00.000Z

Testimony Time

The Cross

2008-08-06T23:35:00.004Z

Do you know what we need today? We need to get back to the cross. Commence the climb. Oh, there's a lot of people are living in the low lands. Where are you living, brother? Are you getting up the mountain? Thank God for the climbers, the men that are looking for higher ground. My faith has no desire to stay where doubt's abound and fears dismay.

Though some may dwell where these abound, my constant aim is higher ground. Let's go up the mountain today.

Could I for a moment bring you to the place called Calvary?
Could we stand this afternoon under the shadow of the old cross of shame? Could we gaze today afresh upon the bleeding, battered, broken body of God's dear Son? Could we count the thorns in that crown of agony? Could we count the purple drops that fall from his hands, his feet and side? Could I get my soul ignited with the warm passion of that great offering for sin?

Oh, man and woman, today see from his head, his hands, his feet sorrow and blood flow mingled down. Did ever such love or sorrow meet or thorns compose so rich a crown?

And when I stand at that cross I hate sin because sin put him on that tree. How can I flirt with sin? How can I companion with sin? How can I take part in sin when I know that sin put him on the tree? As I stand there under that cross I hate the world. I hate the flesh. I hate the devil. For that broken, bleeding, battered body of Christ is the handiwork of all three.

For you my sins, my cruel sins, his chief tormenters were. Each of my crimes became a nail and unbelief the spear. If we could get up that mountain today, my, the things of earth would grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.

MY KING!

2008-07-31T14:31:00.001Z

Audio - Click Here

The Bible says my King is a seven-way king
He's the King of the Jews; that's a racial king
He's the King of Israel; that's a national King
He's the King of Righteousness
He's the King of the Ages
He's the King of Heaven
He's the King of Glory
He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King.
Well....I wonder, do you know Him?

David said, "The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork."
My King is a sovereign King.
No means of measure can define His limitless love.
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply.
No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.
He's enduringly strong.
He's entirely sincere.
He's eternally steadfast.
He's immortally graceful.
He's imperially powerful.
He's impartially merciful.
Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.
He's God's Son.
He's the sinner's Savior.
He's the centerpiece of civilization.
He stands in the solitude of Himself.
He's august and He's unique.
He's unparalleled.
He's unprecedented.
He is the loftiest idea in literature.
He's the highest personality in philosophy.
He is the supreme problem in higher criticism.
He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology.
He is the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion.
He's the miracle of the age.
He's -- yes He is -- He is the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.

He's the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior.
I wonder if you know Him today?
He supplies strength for the weak.
He's available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He strengthens and sustains.
He guards and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleansed the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharges debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent....and He beautifies the meek.
I wonder if you know Him?

Well, my King....He is the King!
He's the key to knowledge.
He's the wellspring of wisdom.
He's the doorway of deliverance.
He's the pathway of peace.
He's the roadway of righteousness.
He's the highway of holiness.
He's the gateway of glory.
Do you know Him?

Well, His office is manifold.
His promise is sure....and His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
And His yoke is easy, and his burden is light.
I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable -- Yes He is!? He is God!
He's incomprehensible.
He's invincible.
He's irresistible.
Well, you can't get Him out of your mind.
You can't get Him off of your hand.
You can't out live Him, and you can't live without Him.

The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him.
Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree.
Herod couldn't kill Him.
Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him.
Yea!!!, that's my King, that's my King.

Yes, and Thine is the Kingdom....and the Power....and the Glory....Forever....and ever, and ever, and ever -- How long is that? And ever, and ever.

And when you get through with all of the forevers, then. AMEN!
Good God Almighty! AMEN! AMEN!

The Room

2008-07-31T14:21:00.000Z

THE ROOM

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

By Joshua Harris. Originally published in New Attitude Magazine. Copyright New Attitude, 1995. You have permission to reprint this in any form. We only ask that you include the appropriate copyright byline and do not alter the content.

Not Called?

2008-07-31T14:17:00.000Z

''Not called!' did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help.

Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there.

Then look Christ in the face -- whose mercy you have professed to obey -- and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world.

-- William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

Against me

2008-07-23T17:31:00.000Z

“Against me earth and hell combine,

But on my side is power divine;

Jesus is all, and he is mine!”

Returning to my first love...

2007-12-31T12:25:00.000Z

Keep me true Lord Jesus, keep me true.
Keep me true Lord Jesus, keep me true.
There's a race that I must run,
There are victories to be won.
In Thy power, ev'ry hour,
Keep me true.

When I read the Bible Through

2007-12-31T12:24:00.000Z

Great words about the greatest book!

When I Read the Bible Through
by Amos R. Wells

I supposed I knew my Bible
Reading piecemeal, hit and miss,
Now a bit of John or Matthew,
Now a snatch of Genesis,
Certain chapters of Isaiah
Certain Psalms (the twenty-third);
Twelfth of Romans, First of Proverbs
Yes, I thought I knew the Word;
But I found that thorough reading
Was a different thing to do,
And the way was unfamiliar
When I read the Bible through.

Oh, the massive, mighty volume!
Oh, the treasures manifold!
Oh, the beauty of the wisdom
And the grace it proved to hold!
As the story of the Hebrews
Swept in majesty along,
As it leaped in waves prophetic,
As it burst to sacred song,
As it gleamed with Christly omens,
The Old Testament was new,
Strong with power,
When I read the Bible through.

Ah! Imperial Jeremiah,
With his keen, coruscant mind;
And the blunt old Nehemiah,
And Ezekiel refined!
Newly came the song idyllic,
And the tragedy of Job;
Deuteronomy, the regal,
To a towering mountain grew,
With its comrade peaks around it
When I read the Bible through.

What a radiant procession
As the pages rise and fall,
James the sturdy, John the tender
Oh, the myriad-minded Paul!
Vast apocalyptic glories
Wheel and thunder, flash and flame,
While the church triumphant raises
One incomparable name.
Ah, the story of the Saviour
Never glows supremely true
Till you read it whole and swiftly,
Till you read the Bible through.

You who like to play at Bible,
Dip and dabble, here and there,
Just before you kneel, aweary,
And yawn thro' a hurried prayer;
You who treat the Crown of Writings
As you treat no other book
Just a paragraph disjointed,
Just a crude, impatient look
Try a worthier procedure,
Try a broad and steady view;
You will kneel in very rapture
When you read the Bible through.

My Testimony

2006-12-01T17:57:00.002Z

I will give a simple testimony, and some thoughts about seeking God.

I was not brought up in a Christian Home.

Indeed my Mother who raised me on her own - Had decided to have nothing to do with God ever again after a bad experience with some religious folks.

My Dad died of a heart attack when I was just 6 Months old. I was brought up as an only Child.

When I was five and we prayed in assembly in school (The Lords Prayer I think), I came home and told my Mum about it, she said "Who did you pray to?"

I answered "Just Ourselves" - I had never been told that there was a God.

Now moving on until I was about 10-12 Years old, I began to have a feeling that there could be a God.

I asked my Mum to take me to a Church. She went White and was not happy about this, but she still took me. She took me to a Baptist Church.

The Minister / Youth Leader / and Christians told me that, If I wanted to go to Heaven When I die, I need to ask Jesus into my heart and I will get the free gift of Salvation, Jesus will save me and I would go to Heaven.

The condition was that I needed to believe in Jesus and that He died on the cross for my sins.

My thoughts were along the lines of "A free ticket to Heaven - Yes please", "I believe He died for me and I believe in God"

I prayed for the Lord Jesus to come into my heart and save me.

Nothing seemed to happen.

I went to Church for a few more weeks and tried to read the bible. I couldn’t understand much of it, and it seemed strange and irrelevant.

I found Church to be boring.

I remember clearly when I decided to leave.

We were singing a song that went like this.

There's something more than gold,
There's something more than gold,
To know your sins are all forgiven is something more than gold

I thought to myself, "Well, I'll take the gold any day"

So I left.

I was quite miserable as a teenager and often had thoughts of suicide. I cried myself to sleep on many nights in my youth.

My reasoning was that nobody loved me, so life was not worth living, I believed my Mum did not love me because she had not been there for me as a child (She was working), No girl loved me - I couldn't get a girlfriend. And God (if He existed) most certainly did not love me; otherwise he wouldn't have given me this awful life.

I decided to ring a girl I had fancied in the Church to ask her out (I was about 13 or 14).

If she said no, I decided in advance that I would kill myself.

I rang, she said no, so I the next morning I walked out of school before classes and got the bus home and stole all the pills I could get my hands on (about 500+ minimum pills)

Sleeping pills, paracetamol, all different kinds.

I walked to the local park and swallowed, all the pills, using the water from the sink in the park toilets.

I walked around the park briefly, suddenly everything looked better, the sun was out, the kids were laughing and playing on the swings.

I thought maybe life is ok for some. But not for me I wanted to die to escape the pain of living.

I had the thought, what if there is a hell.

I answered in my mind - "If there is I'm stuffed, out of the frying pan into the Bl***y fire, stuff it I can't stand living here anyway."

So I went to a thick thorny hedge and crawled into the middle of it so I wouldn't be found for weeks.

This was not a cry for help, I wanted to die!

I felt terrible pain in my body, as though my blood felt dirty, everything began to fade out and I said to myself, this is it I'm a dead man.

I woke seemingly instantly somewhere else. I couldn't see anything, other than a yellow colour (like when you shut your eyes and see black, only yellow).

Then I heard a voice - I have never heard any voice so powerful before or since. It was incredible; it was terrifying but also full of love. (I didn't know it then but a perfect description would be "as the voice of many waters")

I will never forget the words that it said.

"YOU ARE NOT TO DO THIS, THIS IS WRONG, I HAVE A PURPOSE FOR YOU, YOU ARE NOT TO DO THIS, THIS IS WRONG!"

As soon as the words finished, I woke up, and to my amazement felt fine. Then I sat up and about 5ml of liquid came out of my mouth and landed on the leaves on the ground.

I thought I was hallucinating and would soon die, because the liquid was like paint, in separate colours red, yellow, blue, green etc. like a rainbow, I was really puzzled by this.

Somehow now, I didn't want to die.

I thought about the voice and wondered in my mind - Was that GOD?

I went home to my empty house, Mum was at work, I went home expecting to die any moment. A couple of hours passed, nothing happened to me.

Mum came home and asked how I was and why had I not been at school.

I told her that I had the cold.

I never had any medical treatment and never suffered any side effects.

My life continued, I did not become a Christian or a better person, I was still miserable.

Then I met a girl that I liked a lot called Alison, she was going out with my best friend, but they seemed to breaking up.

One night walking home after a party (I was about 19-20) I said to God (Not Jesus, I did not believe in Him because I had tried asking Him to save me and nothing happened so I knew He didn't exist). I want Alison!

I immediately heard a voice in my head which said - "BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR, YOU MIGHT JUST GET IT."

I was stunned to hear this - so I though about whether I wanted to go out with her or not? - I decided I did, and I said to God - I still want her.

Within 1 week, I was sitting at home watching MTV - Dream Lover by Mariah Carey - I think, I said to myself, if I don't get to go out with Alison, I will kill myself.

I had dismissed the experience of the voice as due to the drugs I had taken, on my first suicide attempt. Although I couldn't explain to myself why I had not died or even been ill.

That Night to keep a long story short - I did get Alison as my girlfriend.

We went out for years - I loved her and we bought a house together - I idolized her, she was all I wanted in a girl.

I got an easy Job and a nice house, I wasn't rich, but I didn't want to be. I had got all the things I had wanted - someone to love me and a nice life.

We had a lot of friends in the street who were our age and we would have parties in our houses - lots of fun - drinking, watching TV, eating out.

It was at this time when, I had got everything I thought I ever wanted, that I started to consider life.

I still felt unfulfilled even though I had all that I wanted.

I said to myself, there must be more to life than this...

I began to look at the fields and lake that I lived beside, and I thought there must be a higher power that made these things, I always loved biology and science at school, and desired to be a vet or a scientist. But when I considered the evolution theory, it seemed to me to be so ridiculous that random chance would produce great order and structure, and anyway I thought what banged in the supposed big bang, I dismissed it as foolishness in my mind.

So that left me thinking, who or what made the world.

It was the 1st of January in the year 2000; I had been at a new year’s party the night before, drunk etc.

I woke up and a revelation just hit me - very clearly a crystal clear thought "GOD IS REAL". I was 24 years old at the time.

I was so shocked by this that I think I mentioned it to Alison, she said maybe we should go to Church, I dismissed that idea. I knew that the Christians didn't know God, they were all wimps who couldn't get any miracles or do anything, and I had tried it and it did not work!

I started to think about what God must be like, I decided, after thinking through suffering and various other things that happen in the world that God must be one of two types of God.

1. All good, but not all powerful. - Yes powerful enough to make the world, and all the stuff, but now things had gotten out of control for Him, and even though He was a good God, Who was doing His best for the world, there was a lot he couldn't manage to fix - like starving millions in Africa etc etc etc.

2. Not all good, but all powerful. - Yes all powerful, but more of a personality, like a man; likes some people, hates others, hence if He liked you, you got a good life, and if He hated you, He gave you a life of misery, suffering and a horrible death. I thought he could be prone to mood swings, get easily angered or be unfairly good to others.

I decided on a bus to work that no matter what God was like it would be best if possible to know Him. I thought, if He is all good, I want to know Him; and even if He isn't I think it would be better to be His friend rather than enemy.

So I said in my heart - "God, If you are real, I want to know you!"

I immediately thought of praying but I answered that with a quick response --- "and I don't mean talking to the wall, I mean I want to know you. If you have made people able to talk, then you can talk, if you created speech then you can speak!" "If you reveal yourself to me, I will do what you want."

Nothing seemed to happen.

Thinking about this, I decided to look into who might already know God. I thought about religion, I knew it wasn't Christianity that was right, so I thought about Islam, maybe they know God (there was no terrorism stuff from Muslims that I was aware of back then.)

So knowing that I was ignorant of many things, and didn't yet know God, I went to the town’s main bookstore to buy a copy of the Koran.

I located a copy and stretched out my hand to lift it, but as I did so my whole arm went ice cold from the shoulder to the tips of my fingers, it seemed as cold as if someone had poured dry ice on it.

Startled and frightened, I looked around the shop to see if there was anything that could have made my arm this cold. There was nothing, everyone else was calmly going about their business. I immediately decided not to try and buy the Koran after all, and hastily left the shop.

Instead, I began to read books by Carl Jung, he claimed to have spiritual experiences - strange dreams and was rated by many as a great thinker.

I read one of His books which described a dream about God, I thought it was too strange and I decided this guy did not know God.

I also read some of Freud; I quickly realized this man was sick in the head.

None of this helped me at all, and since I had said in my heart - "God, if you are real, I want to know you!" I had been thinking about what God must be like a lot of the time, and whether he was all good or not.

Then it happened, I was lying under a sun bed in my house and I heard a voice inside my head - say two words

"READ JOB"

I knew it wasn't my thoughts because I thought in my ignorance the word was pronounced Job as in get a Job.

But the voice pronounced it correctly saying read JOB as in the book of JOB (pronounced Jobe, like lobe).

I was very surprised by this, and was not a person who regularly heard voices in my head.

I told Alison, she was surprised and said, maybe you should read it.

Next day I strangely forgot about it and opened my Carl Jung book, all I could see down the page I was reading was Job.......Job...Job, Job. Carl Jung had never mentioned the bible before or any books in it that I had noticed. So I said to myself, I'm definitely going to read Job tonight after work.

During the day I considered that God had told me to read Job, and thought this must mean that The Jew's knew God or the Christians.

I was astonished to think that the Christians could be right, and still dismissed that, but when I thought of being a Jew, I sure didn't fancy wearing black coats and having a strange beard.

That night I read the book of Job in my NIV youth Bible, which I still had from my brief Church days in my youth.

I read the whole book, all 42 Chapters because I was sure God had told me to.

I hardly understood any of it, it seemed to be one big nightmare for Job, then after lots of reading - God spoke to me for the first time ever from the Bible.

When it happens you know that it's happened.

The verse he spoke to me cut me to the heart. It addresses all of Humanity as one, so I knew finally something in the book would apply to me from God.

It was JOB CHAPTER 28 VERSE 28. I will never forget it.

Job 28:28 And this is what he says to all humanity: 'The fear of the Lord that is wisdom; and to turn from wickedness is real understanding.'"

I was stunned by the idea that I should fear God, I had heard that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, but this said that the fear of the LORD is Wisdom.

I stopped reading and said out loud "what's wickedness." Immediately my mind was flooded with things that God was saying was wickedness, too many to mention - some of them were getting drunk, sleeping with my girlfriend, swearing, etc. etc.

I answered these accusations inside by saying things like, I'm not doing anything wrong, I'm not hurting anybody; it's not wrong to be with my girlfriend, I love her. etc etc.

But the feeling that these things were wrong just got stronger.

I thought, what I have I got myself into, if this is real, I'm in big trouble.

I read to the end of the book of Job - and understood that Job was a man who questioned what God was doing when His life was totally ruined, but God answers Him with a series of Questions, which he cannot answer and He realizes, and I realized That God knows everything and how can a mere man think to beat his maker in thought and argument about right and wrong and what should or shouldn't happen.

I realized I needed to listen to God a whole lot more than he needed to listen to me.

I was humbled and realized that God was all good and all powerful even though in my puny thoughts I had concluded otherwise.

I was still not a Christian, but I now knew that the bible was God's word - (otherwise He wouldn't have told me to read it).

So every morning going into work on the bus I read the New Testament, I also started going to a church with Alison, her new friend from college had been inviting her for weeks.

Reading the New Testament and believing it was amazing. I realized only one thing though, which was, if this is all true then I am definitely going to HELL.

I read about the kind of life that a Christian should live, it seemed impossible; also every thing I seemed to do or enjoy in life, the bible was calling a sin!

For two and a half Months I did not repent and give my life to God - Even though I now knew it was all true.

On probably the best day of my life I finally gave in, and on my knees at home, repented of my sins and asked God to forgive me for making a mess of my life and to save me.

Nothing seemed to happen, (and a thought said to me - See it isn't real - it didn't work last time either.)

This time was going to be different though and I went to bed in a separate bed from Alison that night.

When I woke up, I felt no different, but remembered that I had committed my life to Jesus Christ.

I went to work, knowing that I was not born again yet, I was scared in case I died and went to Hell.

When I went to work a verse kept coming to mind -

Matthew 10:32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.

So I wanted to tell someone so that God would save me.

I went to the nicest guy I knew and said

"Simon - At the weekend I gave my life to Jesus Christ - I'm going to live for God."

He said something like "Are you serious, my parents are Christians, that’s good Dave."

I didn't care what He said, I just wanted God to save me right there and then.

Nothing seemed to happen.

Desperate now - I went to the most ignorant guy in work, who mocks everyone and said something like

"Nigel at the weekend I became a Christian, I'm going to live for Jesus Christ"

He laughed at the top of his voice and shouted - Dave's a Christian - I give you 2 weeks at the most.

I didn't need to tell anyone else because nearly everyone heard him.

I was embarrassed and sat down at my desk to start work.

I was in despair, I really knew I wanted to be born again, but couldn't make it happen.

I felt like giving up because I knew if God did not change me that I would go back to sinning all the time before long.

But in all my weakness and despair I said to the LORD, even if you don't save me I'm going to live for you anyway.

I started to work almost crying.

At that moment my whole inside was instantly transformed by the Power of the Almighty God he had saved me in an instant!

I knew I was born again, and that all my sins had just been forgiven, I felt clean for the first time in my life.

Suddenly I had clear access to heaven, it was like a great invisible barrier had been removed and the voice of God spoke to me so clear.

He said

"I LOVE YOU"

I wanted to run around the room with joy, I felt brand new - I was a new man - All desire for drinking just left me.

I stopped blaspheming and swearing with no trouble at all, I had a brand new heart.

If you ever get this you will KNOW for sure.

That night in bed was the first time in my life that I lay down and had wonderful peace - knowing 100% that God had forgiven me, that He is real and that He loves me, and that I was going to Heaven and living forever.

It is so wonderful to know these things.

I have much more to say especially about many miracles I have experienced. (I would not live for a God that could not do miracles, or really reveal Himself)

No one witnessed to me, it was God that drew me to Himself and saved me. I thank Him for his grace which I don't deserve.

I love Him with all my heart and would die for Him; after all He did die for me.

To those who do not yet believe - When people used to tell me about Jesus when I was growing up, it meant nothing to me.

I can sympathize with your situation, and not believing.

There is however an answer to life’s question?

All you need to be is sincere, there are many people who are not sincere, and are so proud that they think they know all about all aspects of life and how the world is here, they think they have it sussed even though they have only lived for a few short years.

But if you are a sincere person, no matter what you believe or don't believe.

I recommend (only if you really want to) that you say to God like I did - God - If you are real, I want to know you.

If you are sincere and you would obey Him as God once you know Him - He will reveal Himself to you.

If you are not sincere or would reject Him as God if he revealed Himself to you, He is very, very unlikely to reveal Himself to you, and you will see Him in your mind as torturous.

Just like the Bible promises you would see Him as.

Psa 18:25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;
Psa 18:26 with the pure you show yourself pure; and with the crooked (devious, False) you make yourself seem tortuous.
Psa 18:27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.

Also banding together to strengthen each other in the false way won't ultimately help you.

Pro 11:21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished:

I hope there is even one among you who will consider these things and be simple and sincere with himself.

If my testimony helps save even one man or woman in my whole life, then my whole life has been worthwhile

Joh 18:37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

If you have never heard His voice - you have something that is not true in you - be real with God and He will be real with you.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

I have much more to say especially about being raised from the dead. But I must go to bed now.

I leave you with this passage of scripture

Act 17:24 "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
Act 17:25 "Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
Act 17:26 "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,
Act 17:27 "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
Act 17:28 "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'
Act 17:29 "Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising.
Act 17:30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
Act 17:31 "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."
Act 17:32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter."

I know some of you will mock - men have not changed since that time - but I hope others who read this will say like the other men did "We will hear you again on this matter."

Wise men still seek JESUS.

If this Gospel is worth anything, it is worth everything.

Don't accept the weak false version of Christianity that abounds in our day. Be real and go for the real thing, do not rest until you have experienced God's salvation for yourself, there is nothing greater to be had.

I used to say, I'll take the gold, But now I say Just give me Jesus.

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I'd rather be His than have riches untold:
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands.
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

2
I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame.
I'd rather be true to His holy name.

3
He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all than my hungering spirit needs.
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead

God's Word over Ireland

2006-06-27T08:25:00.000Z

See below a true Prophecy concerning Ireland, Thanks be to our Glorious God!

Ireland! Put on the garments of praise!
Dominique Francois
Paris, France
Feb. 15th, 2000.
Although I have been a born again Christian for 30 years and in this prophetic renewal for many, I have never ever received a vision and a word like the one God seized me with for Ireland this morning.
As I was listening to the song "O, consuming fire", I saw the map of Europe circled by a high and thick wall, like a fortified city. Coming from the sea, I saw the stem of a big ship - (ice-breaker-type thing) only much bigger, knocking this wall down and making a breakthrough in Europe through Ireland.
I said : "God, are you going to bring a revival or a renewal to Ireland?" He answered : "No. Revival or renewal are not adequate words for what I am about to do in this country. It is going to be an outburst, an explosion, an invasion of my Spirit in the land of Ireland. All they have known for decades is civil war, terrorism, bombs, bullets, explosions, slaughters which were the works of the enemy because satan knows what an exceptional destiny I have for the Irish people, but now I come, I come with might and power, I come with glory and splendour, I come with a divine explosion."
Then the Lord led me to listen to the first song of "REVIVAL IN BELFAST" (Hosanna Music) and the sobs of the Father's heart for Ireland seized me with violence. The lyrics say :
"PUT ON THE GARMENTS OF PRAISE
FOR THE SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS
LET THE OIL OF GLADNESS FLOW DOWN
FROM YOUR THRONE."
Ireland, REJOICE! The Lord of glory is coming to you in an unprecedented explosion of his manifest presence and all of Europe will be impacted and in awe of what the God has done for you.
"When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting. Then they said among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them, the Lord has done great things for us, we are glad." (PS. 126).
May this word stir up your hearts, renew your courage and hope and enlarge your vision. We cannot fathom what God is about to do.
In his wonderful love,

Ms Dominique Francois
dfes545@vjf.cnrs.fr

2006-05-11T06:29:00.000Z

Psalm 24
1 The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah

The Earth IS the LORDS!

Revival is coming to Ireland!!!

It has been a land of violence as men claim their rights to the land. They have forgotten that the whole EARTH is the LORD's and those who live in it! Ireland is the LORD's and a war for souls is what has really been waged as the devil pitches man against man in the name of religion. But there is One God, One Faith One LORD! And He is Mighty in battle, and will prevail mightily in this last hour; by sending an unparalleled revival to the Nation of Ireland. JESUS CHRIST is Mighty to save! Psalm 24 is a Prophecy of the Last Hour in the Earth. Those who are seeking pleasure and entertainment with incredible zeal will turn into the Generation of those who seek HIM. The LORD will have an army of young people who are 100% Jesus Christ. Their weapons will not be guns but rather Love and faith and zeal and the world will know there is a GOD, and that the Earth is the LORD's!

If you don't know what revival is check out this -

The Revival Hymn

download (mp3)
listen now (ra)