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May/June 2019

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: 

but when the desire cometh, 

it is a tree of life

Proverbs 13:12 (KJV)

What is it that you need or hope will happen in your life this year?  We are now almost half way through this year already - the fifth/sixth month.  Time has passed so quickly, but despite our dreams and aspirations to achieve  more for our lives, we often fail to do so and begin to lose heart.  Nevertheless you and I still have the ability to dream big dreams and use the vision of our imagination to see  ourselves living and aligning ourselves to a better life and possibly lifestyle.   Every dreams begins with the dreamer!   

Dreams can sometimes reflect your deeper desires and The Word of God reminds us all  that  "when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life:"    Desire makes all the difference and helps to generate life within us so that we can fulfil the desires of our hearts. So, are your desires aligned with God's?

It is God's desire to align you with His Word over and above everyone else's.  This month I invite you to align yourself and everything connected to you with The Word of God.  Psalm 119, the longest chapter in The Bible is a helpful tool to use in prayer in order to align your life with the will of God.  It focuses  on the greatness of God’s Word, including His law, His precepts, His testimonies, and His statutes.  This psalm is a reminder -  if you are a follower of God, God calls on you to delight in His Word each day. 

Over the coming weeks personalise, pray and read aloud Psalm 119 as your prayer and positive affirmation as part of your prayer time every day.  You will soon begin to experience the transformational change that God's Word is able to bring about.  When you do so,  you will begin to witness changes in and around your life...Don't forget to send me your feedback/Praise Report via this blog page.

God bless you always,
Pastor Avis

Psalm 119 King James Version (KJV)

EXAMPLE:

I am blessed, not defiled, I walk in the law of The Lord

1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.

25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame.

32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.

40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.

53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

55 I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law.

56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

57 Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep thy words.

58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word.

66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

89 For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

94 I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts.

95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.

108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.

109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

126 It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.

127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

137 Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments.

138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes.

146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment.

150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.

151 Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth.

152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

156 Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: quicken me according to thy judgments.

157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness.

160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

166 Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.

170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

MARCH/APRIL 2019

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MARCH/APRIL 2019 

The Meaning of Easter

John 20:11-18  (KJV)

¹¹ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

¹² And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

¹³ And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

¹⁴ And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

¹⁵ Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

¹⁶ Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

¹⁷ Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

¹⁸ Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Globally the world is getting ready to remember and celebrate the season known as Easter .  Easter, also called Pascha (Greek, Latin) or Resurrection Sunday, is a festival and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial after his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD.

In The Bible The Easter story is recorded  in slightly different ways in the four gospels of the New Testament. Jesus’ words to Mary in this account fit with other details of the story and hold a message about our relationship with The Lord.

In the Matthew account, for example, Mary Magdalene is accompanied by “the other Mary” when they come to the tomb at dawn. They experience an earthquake, they see an angel descend from heaven, they watch him roll back the stone, they see the reaction of the guards, and they receive a relatively full explanation from the angel. Their fear and grief is replaced with joy, and they run from the tomb to tell others.   As they are running they meet Jesus. They recognize Him, change their position and hold Him by the feet, worshiping Him.  I pray that this Easter you too will change your position and stance and begin to worship Jesus and by so doing begin to change your life.

In the Gospel of John the account is different.  Mary comes to the sepulcher alone while it is still dark and discovers the stone rolled away.  After fetching John and Peter, who investigate the scene, she lingers behind.  She does not experience the earthquake, see the angel come down, or see him roll back the stone. She weeps and looks into the tomb. Only then does she see the angels, but they don’t explain anything to her, they only ask her questions. When she does see the Lord she does not recognize Him, and He asks her not to touch Him.

Both stories illustrate Mary’s deep love for Jesus.

If you are at a place  of loneliness or darkness in your life where you feel empty and helpless I want to remind you that every obstacle that you face can be rolled away by The Lord Jesus Christ.  His power can shake your terrain and territory.  It is time for you to recognise that God wants to do a NEW thing in your life not just at this season but for EVERY season that you will ever encounter.   There is no stone or barrier that can hinder, block or stop Jesus Christ Himself from working in your life and Jesus is waiting to meet you regardless of  whatever way you have  presently chosen to live your life!

Today, accept and allow Jesus in…make this time of your life God’s Season! 

PRAYER

Dear Father and Lord,

Thank you for sending Your very own son even Jesus Christ to die and atone for my sins.  Forgive me for every wrong thing that I have ever done

Today I ask you to touch and resurrect every dead area of my life.  Raise me up in every place where previously I had given up.  I ask you to breathe new life into my body and soul. 

Dear Lord release your Spirit of Love, life and liberty all over me now as I visualise what the sacrifice of the cross must have cost you and heaven. Thank you for the healing grace of forgiveness  and the shed blood of Christ.

Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law for He was made a curse for me (Galatians 3:13). 

Amen for evermore!

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019

Each new year often brings with it a  mixed bag of circumstances, emotions and memories.  It could be that 2018 was your best year to date and that you are anticipating even greater things this year.  Conversely, there may be some of you who have struggled against unbelievable odds just to sustain life and normality.  Whatever your situation, God still has so much more for you in store!  Healing, success and victory are the agents that God employs to assist each one of us to achieve our God given destinations and goals.  No matter how isolated you may feel God wants you to know that you are never alone.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)

The God of all God's is with YOU right now in your present state and status.  His name is Immanuel,  which literally means God with us. Even though things and people around us constantly shift and change, our God never changes.

My Prayer For Your Life

Dear Lord and Father, 

We give You thanks for yet another day of life and the opportunity through prayer to change our lives.  We bring You the old things and ask You through the transformational power of prayer to  make all things new not just for me but globally for your people everywhere. 

Father God, guide us, lead and direct us with all of our daily decisions and desires to the better locations of life.    I ask you to take us to places of Open Doors that will ultimately bring us to places of greater opportunities and promotion in every area of our lives.   

Teach us Dear Father how to be better people in the better places that you have prepared for us.  We ask these things in The Name of Jesus Christ... AMEN!

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?

I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:18-19

DECEMBER 2018

What Does Christmas Mean 

to You?

DEEPER MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

I would like to take this opportunity of wishing you all a very Blessed and Happy Christmas!  As the Christmas season comes and goes this year, may hope be found in the truth of God’s word and the knowledge of His unchanging love for you every day of the year.

Across the globe we celebrate Christmas every year almost as a ritualistic routine and festivity. We know it to be a time for family, friends, socialising with special events and reconnecting with people that we do not have the time to catch up with throughout the year.

Christmas is just a date on the calendar for so many.  This year, I would like to share with you the true meaning of Christmas:

The Word became flesh (John 1:14)

While God had walked in the garden with Adam and Eve and showed up in various forms and moments in Israel’s history, the event of the birth of Jesus Christ was different. Why so?  Because this time, He didn’t take the form of an angel or just do some incredible, unexplainable feat. This time, He came as One of us! The Eternal God became a finite man. He entered history at a specific time and place as a member of His Creation. The angel Gabriel announced His coming to Mary and God also sent a message to Joseph. He caught the attention of the magi from the east who came looking for the Messiah King. Angels appeared to shepherds in the field praising God and announcing the birth of the Saviour. God broke 400 years of silence with a different sound…the cry of a baby! This was a holy, truly awesome moment in time that changed time for all eternity!

Christmas Divides History

No other birth in the history of mankind has carried greater significance. This event  literally split history in two. Take a moment to ponder on this.  There is no king, emperor, prophet, or spiritual leader ever who has influenced the course of history more than Jesus Christ. 

While Christmas is a time to remember the birth of Christ, it also marks a gigantic, God-sized day in the history of man’s relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

Many have tried and some have made noticeable ripples in history, but none like this. Jesus was a carpenter’s son and itinerant preacher. He didn’t lead armies or write books or earn rewards and honours and accolades. He didn’t try to organize people (though they were drawn to Him) or even really spread His teaching (though it spread like wildfire). Yet, He changed history like no one ever has or ever will simply because of who He is. 

Immanuel

What a name! What an earth-shattering reality. God with us. Our Creator God who formed the heavens and earth and all the universe with but a word was here as one of us. Not to mete out judgment and wrath, but first to reconcile to Himself all who would believe. He is God with Us who will never leave or forsake us. This is the significance of the birth of Christ. This is why the angels announced it to the shepherds and the star led the magi to Bethlehem. God, Himself was here, the silence was finally broken, and Salvation was coming!

So…Spread the Word!

The birth of Jesus is the moment in history when God stepped into His Creation not as Creator, but as one of us. And not as a ruler, politician, or military figure. But as a baby, the son of a carpenter, born in a place for animals with a feeding trough as a bed. From that humble beginning, He turned the world as we know it upside down. God is with us! God is with you right where you are now and Salvation and everything that it embodies is now at your disposal. 

I pray that this season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ that it will also bring new life to you and your loved ones in Jesus name.

May 2019 when it arrives bring with it a new dimension of

change, victory and success!  

Prayer Points For the Christmas Season

1. That Christ will reawaken our spirits and return in our thoughts and thinking and become the main focus of our lives. In the Name of Jesus we pray.
2. That as Mary had her encounter with God, that we will also have an encounter that will change our lives and impregnate and impact us with new authority and power to live our lives for the better and good of others also.  In the Name of Jesus we pray.     
3. That every distraction, disruption, disappointment and delay will fail in their assignments against our successful outcomes.  In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray.

NOVEMBER 2018

WHY DO WE NEED TO PRAY?

For the month of  – November  I want to put the subject of prayer under the microscope and look at why you and I need to pray.

A Christian philosopher who was also a scientist - Blaise Pascal (1623-62) wrote, "The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing … " Over the next few months I am going to serialise why we need to pray.

God's Word Calls YOU and I to Pray!

The primary reason we need to pray is because God has commanded us to do so. If we are to be obedient to His will, then prayer must be part of our life when we are in relationship with Him. Where does the Bible call us to prayer? There are several passages that are relevant:

• "Pray for those who persecute you" –Matthew 5:44 (NIV) [1] 
• "And when you pray …" –Matthew 6:5 
• "This, then, is how you should pray …" –Matthew 6:9 
• "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." –Romans 12:12 
• "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." –Ephesians 6:18 
• "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." –Philippians 4:6 
• "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." –Colossians 4:2 
• "Pray continually" -1 Thessalonians 5:17 
• "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone …" -1 Timothy 2:1

Prayer is an act of obedience. God  has called you to pray and if you are intending to establish a working relationship with Him you need to respond by so doing. 

Scriptures are taken from the NIV (New International Version)