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Leaving and Retuning to Facebook – A Christ Followers Perspective!

By Christianity, Personal119 Comments

So fellow readers I am going to in a few moments re – activate my account on facebook after being off it for just over one year now.

UPDATE – After being back on facebook for just under a week now I really can confirm that I do not miss it. I just really think that its too easy to spend unnecessary time on it scrolling through peoples accounts. It requires so much self discipline. So far its been an alright experience but its all to easy to let it take over and become about self. I have enjoyed posting scripture to it but I do wonder if people actually read it. But i know the Word will not return void and it will accomplish what it was mean to do. To point people to Christ and Glorify the Lord!

The reason I left facebook  was because of a relationship that came to an end. I really felt I and we needed a clean break and Facebook was one practical way to just have some space. At the time i was just not in a place to deal with all the pictures and posts that I was linked to and so felt to just close it down.

It has been one the best things I have done to allow healing to happen for me after the engagement ended!

God used it to just give me space and not feel tempted to look back on images that would be unhelpful! It was rather liberating really as I was not bound by its addictive pull. I also felt quite chuffed for going against the flow and conforming to the statistics.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

There are over 500 Million people on Facebook with 32827180 in the UK. Thats half the population! 5 in 10 1 in 2!

The exciting prospect for me is the chance to share the Gospel and Word of GOD to potentially half a billion people!

It allowed me to spend more time reading the Bible and Praying because I was less distracted! So if you feel distracted by it why not go off Facebook for a bit and spend that time reading the bible and praying and just watch how your personal walk with Jesus grows from strength to strength! Go for it!

Do it with a purpose and the purpose to get closer to the King of Kings!

I have been so blessed by using twitter to share the Word of God with people who follow me! Twitter in my opinion is much better because it is less intrusive and personal!

Now when I did it back in the first week of January It was fairly easy to find out how  after doing a few google searches!

It is time now for me to go back on it and again I am excited about one thing and one thing alone! This to share the GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST through the LIVING WORD OF GOD!

I am going to go for it and not pull any punches with sharing my faith! I know that it will not be easy as there will be some opposition and even temptation to focus on self. So I must be strong and the only way i am going to be able to glorify the Lord in what post is going to be through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT

Zechariah 4:6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

Facebook is a great tool to share the Gospel and tell people about how Jesus has transformed your life. My challenge to you who read this is are you living for Christ wholeheartedly when you use facebook!

My prayer is this

Lord help me to glorify God by posting His Word and encouraging others to get closer to Christ! Oh lord may it not be for my gain but for Your Glory! May others be blessed by the posts and scriptures I put on! May I be lead by the #HolySpiritto post content that would glorify you Lord! Lord if it becomes about me or not pleasing in your sight may I have no peace! In the name of Jesus. Amen!

Knowing Jesus – A FULL Surrender

By sermonNo Comments

Download Knowing Jesus – A FULL Surrender

Prophetic word with this message was that it is like a battle and after a battle if you surrender you wave a white flag and in a way to be victorious you have to surrender all and wave the white flag to Jesus!

Sermon Notes St Matt’s – Timothy West

Knowing Jesus and Loving God with all your Heart.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30 ESV)
My soul Lord to you surrendered All I am is yours.

Opening questions

1) What does it mean to “Know Jesus”?

2) What does it mean to “Love the Lord your God with ALL your Heart”?

Intro – personal testimony

I am here tonight to talk to you about my best friend – about my saviour – about my
about my King. Jesus Christ.
I grew up in a wonderful Christian family and my mum and dad are my heros
(missionaries in Africa)- I have been incredibly blessed by attending a wonderful school
here in Bath I’ve been to some great universities Bournemouth and Bath and now have
an exciting teaching Job at King Edwards Senior school. From a material point of view
Life hast not been tough.
Yet I count all but lost and worthless in comparison to knowing Jesus Christ as my
personal Lord and saviour.

In the last year of my life I have know pain and hardship that has cut deep and at times
absolutely torn me appart. I was engaged to a wonderful woman called who I respect
hugely. The engagement was broken January this year leaving me absolutely mortified
and broken. I am not here to talk to you about the ins and outs of this but to talk to
about my Journey with Christ over the last 8 months and how He has pulled me up out
of the Pitt and set my feet on solid ground.

I have learnt about the importance of being in the Will of God and not out of it and
being willing to let Jesus have absolutely everything and take everything.
So whilst I have known great blessing and Joy in my life I have also known Incredible
pain.I stand here today as a living testimony that God is good. That Jesus truly does care and
save and that the holy spirit is the only true comforter helper and advocate they we have
to live by. My prayer is that we together Journey with Jesus and begin to come to know
him intimately.

Practical Application From my testimony.

Knowing Jesus has Changed my life.
The three practical things that have totally changed my life in the last 8 months are:
1) Reading and meditating on the word of God.
Psalm 119:9

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
2) Cultivating a Life of Prayer – speaking and listening to my best friend.
Philippians 4:6-7

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace
of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.

3) Wholehearted praise and worship to the King of kings even if I don’t feel like it.
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known
to everyone.
Hebrews 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit
of our lips giving thanks to his name

Main part of talk.

Read John 14
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;[a] believe also in me.
1) Knowing Jesus is also knowing God the Father – the father son relationship is key
and important to grasp. In order to begin to know Jesus we need to also know the
father who sent him.
2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I
go to prepare a place for you?[b] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know
the way to where I am going.”[c] 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where
you are going. How can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the

Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father
also.[d] From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
2) As believers we need to be certain and sure of our salvation and what salvation
really is. In order to know God the Father we need to know Jesus. To know Jesus We
need to have a good understanding of what savaltion is through the blessed Holy
Trinity.

Read Romans 3:22-26
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans
3:22-24 NIV84)
Salvation in Christ is All about Grace.
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to
him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has
seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not
believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do
not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account
of the works themselves.12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do;
and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever
you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
3) When we ask for things in the name of Jesus the Main objective is so that our father
in heaven may be glorified through the son Jesus Christ. The word of God says we can
ask in the Name of Jesus and he will do it. And greater things. Remember it needs to be
to the Glory of God. Go for it. Ask for things in the name of Jesus.
14 If you ask me[e] anything in my name, I will do it.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
4) We need to know the commandments that are laid out in the word of God – when we
know them we have a better chance to keep them and in keeping them we love Jesus.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[f] to be with you
forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither
sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be[g] in you.
5) To know Jesus we need to know that the Holy Spirit is with us – as we are filled with
the Spirit we will Know Him -ask the holy spirit to be with you everyday. Claim this
promise – this truth daily – Holy Spirit I believe you are with me fill me up and help me
get through this day this trial this life. The Holy Spirit is the completion of the Holy
Trinity.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the
world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In
that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he
who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to
him.”
6) V21 what a beautiful truth – Once again in verse 21 it talks about keeping His
commandments. Whenever scripture says it twice to me it starts to ring alarm bells –
saying pay attention. Have you got His commandments?
The key point 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to
us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep
my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home
with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that
you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
7) So how does Jesus meet with us. For the third time in John 14 it says “if you love me
KEEP MY WORD” and my father will love him and WE WILL COME TO HIM that is
me and you. Father son and Holy Spirit making their home in your heart. Let us also
not neglect and forget verse 24
Listen to the story of Bob with the big house.

Final Scriptures and Closing Thoughts

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you.
Finishing prayer in the scriptures
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach
you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I
leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not
your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am
going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because
I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you
may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is
coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that
the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.Key Scriptures and final notes.
Scripture 1
Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our
God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with
all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first
commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as
yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, You are not far from
the kingdom of God. But after that no one dared question Him. (Mark 12:29-31, 34
NKJV)
Scripture 2
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is
no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by
his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put
forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s
righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Boom
It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the
justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:22-26 ESV)
Don’t compromise don’t hold back give him your whole heart. I Surendor all unto
Jesus. Give him full rein give him your whole heart.
John 14:23
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them,
and we will come to them and make our home with them
He wants all of you.
I pray that you come to know Jesus intimately and give him your whole heart. I also
pray the Word of God grips your heart and you begin to keep and know His
commandments and precepts laid out in the Word of God!
All to Jesus We surrender!

The commission of a Christ Disciple – from disciple to APOSTLE

By Mission121 Comments

Commissioning of the disciples to APOSTLES By Jesus

It just struck me how simple Jesus made it for us to do mission.

1) He gave us power and authority to heal and deliver V1

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,

2) He sent us to preach the Gospel and again to heal V2

and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

3) Do mission by faith – rely on the Lords provision V3-5

And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.
And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

Conclusion – we must Go into all the world – villages, towns, our office, the next door neighbour and again to do what?

To Preach the Gospel and Heal the sick.

And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6 ESV)

Isn’t it wonderful how simple this it is. We haven’t got an excuse really have we.

How can you step out and step into this. I believe everyone has responsibility to be an apostle in their own place.

We say we want to be Christ’s disciples but then shirk off the going part. We must Go for Christ!

Be blessed and hopefully also challenged.

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Congolese kid in fancy dress

By PortraitNo Comments

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I spotted this Kid in Bunia and thought he was rather interesting. He was dressed as a little African Dictator. Maybe not but it just looked quite funny as he was dead set on looking stern.

Africa has enough dictators and I hope ad pray that this lad doesn’t grow up to be like him. It’s interesting that many dictators are quite inspirational but totally wrong. Power is a dreadful thing.

I am using Instsgram to publish my photos as it has a large audience. Do you like the editing it has.

Thoughts.

Sermon notes on Proclaiming the Gospel

By Mission121 Comments

Roger West. – Proclaiming the Gospel. Preaching. GO

If no body goes and no body tells them about Jesus.

What is the Gospel. It is the good news. It is not bad news. The good news is. Psalm 103:3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, (Psalm 103:3 NKJV)

It brings hope. It brings Forgiveness. Heals all your diseases.

Revival will never happen until Gods people arise and go and proclaim the Good News. The Gospel of Christ. Psalm 103:3-5

It doesn’t just stop their.

Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagles. (Psalm 103:3-5 NKJV)

There has to be an announcer of the Good news.

People want the anointing but God says Go and I will anoint you. When you Go you find out that God is with you. Anointing will come upon you.

Why do some people not go. Because in their mind they think they are nothing. But when Jesus comes and stands next to a Zero. He makes you so much more then you are. You become a 10 and with many more zeros. We becomes hundreds thousands and then millions for Christ.

But when the holy spirit comes upon us all trembling goes.

Jesus is mindful of you and he is thinking of you. He is making interceding for us. He abides with us.

The purpose of the spirit of the sovereign Lord coming upon you is so that you can GO and preach the Gospel to the Poor….. Roger West

The message of the gospel must be clear. We must preach the crucified Christ. We must

The purer the gospel that is preached the greater the results. The gospel that preaches Jesus Christ and him Crucified is the most powerful message you can ever preach.

When we are moved to compassion. There will be two voices one will be what if and the other will be GO step out in faith. We must silence the voice that says WHAT IF.

If you see someone that is broken hearted. It’s a great opportunity to pray and minister with someone.

When you are full with the Love of God you will be most effective in your ministry.

Why is the spirit upon you – to take Love to a dark and dying world.

Can people tell that you have been with Jesus. Jesus is the greatest witness in you he will speak through you.

If I read the word of God everyday. Instead of ministering from empty the more I will minister from an overflow. Soak yourself in the word of God.

God has given us the privilege to each of us to be involved in the Work of God.

Why did Jesus borrow peters boat. He cold have just walked on the water. He wants us to

It hath pleased God that through the foolishness of preaching people would be saved.

There are many lost children that don’t even realise that they are lost. How will they be found unless they have someone who finds them and tells them that they are Lost.

Genesis 1 the spirit of God was hovering brooding over the face of the waters. He was waiting for the voice of God. In verse 3 the moment God said let there be light there was Light. God has put his word in our mouths. He is waiting for for me and you to arise and speak his word. The gospel. Then the Moment we speak the Holy Spirit goes to work.

But I feel week scared. Worried.

Who lives in you? The lion of the tribe of Judah. He is hungry and has not eaten at all. What you have to do is open the door. Open your mouth. let him out he knows what to do. Speak the word. And when you speak the word the holy spirit will come and he will confirm the word.

He is waiting for you to arise and tell people about Jesus.

The great commission is one ambition for the knowledge of the Glory of the lord to cover the earth. For every family,nation, tribe and tongue to turn to Jesus and the privilege has been given to YOU.

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