Colossians 1:6 (NIV) ~ All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing.  

From the first disciple to follow Jesus; it started with one, the one went to two and two went to a number, then a whole town, the large crowds, then in one day three thousand came to the Lord. From there, the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Not just in Jerusalem, but also in Rome, in Africa, in Asia and as our text for today says in Colossians 1:6 (NIV), “All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing.” 

Now, this is powerful progress at its best! This is what it is all about, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to all mankind; sowing generously, sowing faithfully, sowing with a winning attitude, believing God for the increase. Increase will only come when we are faithful in a being a witness and sowing God’s word about Jesus Christ. When we do so, God will honour His word with signs and wonders that follow. We are called to be powerful witnesses, stout-hearted, filled with great courage and a Holy Spirit boldness to fearlessly proclaim the message of the gospel. As we do so, God will be the God of the increase and we will be His witnesses of the gospel, bearing fruit and growing. 

The water of the gospel is not stagnate, but it is a living flowing steam from heaven above that pours from the lips of men and women on fire for Jesus. Notice if you will the wording from our text for today in Colossians 1:6 (NIV), “All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing.” The gospel is bearing fruit and growing, it grows because we are faithful in prayer, in our daily devotion to Jesus and being a powerful witness for the kingdom of God. The Bible says in John 15:16 (NIV), “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” We are called to reproduce fruit for the kingdom of God. God wants to use people to reach people. Every seed will reproduce its own kind. For example, an apple seed will produce apples, orange seeds will produce oranges, and so, when we sow the seed of the word of God, we will reap souls as our reward, not apples or oranges, but precious souls for the kingdom of God. 

My friend, we are instruments of His end-time harvest of souls. God has called us; He has chosen us to sow His seed generously. The radical, life-changing word of the living God must be sown in faith, watered in prayer and cultivated by the Holy Spirit, that it might produce a great harvest of souls, so we can witness with our own eyes the manifestation of a mighty move of the glory of God in our lifetime and bear witness to seeing a great revival of the gospel bearing much fruit and growing all over the world.   

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Matthew 2:11 (NIV) ~ Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving, but for some it is also a time of debt, depression, loneliness and despair. Many people have faced hard times at Christmas as they struggle to make ends meet. They mask the pain of hardship and loneliness, by wearing a smile, but inside their hearts are heavy with the searing pain of sadness. They try to buy nice gifts for people, but go into debt in doing so. And so, they enter into the New Year with a mountain of debt to clear before they can enjoy the rest of the year. This is the harsh reality of Christmas for some people in the 21^st century. The true meaning of giving and receiving was given by God on the very first Christmas; God, who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so whosoever believes in Him, whosoever receives Him will have eternal Life. 

Our text for today says in Matthew 2:11 (NIV), “Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” These wise men had a multitude of treasures to give, they gave what could be thought a strange collection of gold, incense and myrrh, but they turned out to be presents which were given to bless Jesus. If we are to give someone something, let us first be a blessing to him or her, and give him or her something from the heart; something that is not overshadowed by the expense of it, but outshone by the generosity of a heart full of love.

My friend, the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV), “…‘In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.” God is a God of the now, that is why Jesus is called the, “present,” God’s gift to all mankind. The greatest gift you can give anyone is not in the amount of money you spend, or the gifts of gold, but in the love you share, the kindness you show and mercy you bestow on someone. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Luke 2:7 (NIV) ~ …And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The inn was full of people going up to Bethlehem to register, because Caesar Augustus has issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. But this was no ordinary couple and the child whom Mary was carrying was no ordinary child. This baby, soon to born, is the King of glory. 

The Bible says in Psalm 24:7 (NIV), “Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors that the King of glory may come in.”

Tucked away within these few Scriptures from Psalm 24:7 to 10 (NIV), The Lord the King of glory is mentioned five times in three verses of the Bible. Furthermore, verse seven is repeated verbatim in verse nine. 

1. Lift up your heads.

2. O your gates be lifted up, you ancient doors.

3. That the King of glory may come in.

1. Lift up your heads.

Your Salvation, Your Saviour, is a heavenly gift from above. Take your eyes off what is below and lift high your gaze toward heaven. Look to Him, all the ends of the earth, and be saved. For He is strong to deliver and mighty to save! 

2. Gates and ancient doors.

Open wide the gate to your heart. Open wide the ancient doors to your inner-most being and there, let Jesus Christ be enthroned Lord of all. Enter into, and through, Jesus Christ who is the Gate, the Ancient of days. Come to Jesus, come to Him and find a fresh start, with fresh pasture. 

3. That the King of glory may come in.

The King of glory will only ever enter into a willing heart. He will only enter through a gate if we open the doors of our heart, the gateway to our spirit and soul, unto Him, and bid Him enter in.   

Who is this King of glory?

Who pursues me with His love?

Who pours His love over me?

Who whispers in gentleness?

Who gifts me with His grace?

Who gives me His forgiveness?

Who surrounds me with His mercy?

The Bible says in Psalm 24:10 (NIV), “Who is the King of glory? The Lord Almighty-he is the King of glory.”

King of my heart, King of glory. 

Oh, how the song writer D.W. Whittle penned such a beautiful invitation from the chorus of the song, “Have You Any Room for Jesus, He Who Bore Your Load of Sin?”

Room for Jesus, King of Glory?

Hasten now, His word obey,

Swing the heart’s door widely open,

Bid Him enter while you may.  

My friend, let the King of glory enter in today, open wide the gates of your heart, the inner ancients doors of your spirit and soul. Life up your eyes toward heaven and look to Jesus and be saved as the Bible says in Psalm 24:7 (NIV), “Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors that the King of glory may come in.” Make room for Jesus in the home of your heart and let Jesus be the King of your heart, the King of glory. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

John 1:14 (NIV) ~ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

The Message translation of the Bible takes our text for today and puts it into a modern way of thinking, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.” He came down to where we lived, from heaven itself, to be born among us, just like you and me. The Bible says in Philippians 2:7 to 8 (NIV), “…But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

It is a sobering thought to try and comprehend that Jesus Christ loves the sinner so much that He was willing to come, to give up the glory of heaven, to born into poverty, to feel the pain of neglect, of rejection, the agony and trials of temptation, the feeling of being hungry, thirsty and cold and to endure the searing pain of personal betrayal, the beatings, whipping and scourging, to have a crown of thorns thrust upon His head and then be nailed to a cross, and taunted by those who crucified Him until He died.   

What a contrast to the day He was born, where on the hills surrounding Bethlehem the heavens were opened and the Angels of God declared His glorious birth saying in Luke 2:10 to 14 (NIV), “‘Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.’”

My friend, God is spirit, He gave us the Holy Spirit, but only Jesus left the realm of glory to put on the garments of flesh and blood. He laid aside the majesty of heaven itself to come down among us; to empathize with us.

 Jesus was with God in the beginning; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, the three in one.

Jesus Christ came to become like you and me in the flesh and blood, so He could save flesh and blood. This babe of Bethlehem, who was born a King, was He who died on the cross with the sign over His precious brow saying, “This is Jesus, King of the Jews!” Then three days later, He was raised from the dead, and when all was accomplished He went back into heaven with the marks of the cross forever on His body. The Bible says in John 1:10 to 13 (NIV), “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

Jesus was born and took upon Himself the flesh and blood of a newborn baby, and He grew from a baby to a young boy, and then a man. This man then died for the sins of mankind. He suffered so we may share His glory with Him. May, this festive season, you receive the real reason to be cheerful and happy at the Saviour’s birth. He came to give us Life. Will you accept His gift of Life to you today and receive Him as you Lord and Saviour?

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Luke 2: 9 (KJV) ~ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. 

Let us take a fresh look at the second part of this verse, “keeping watch over their flocks by night.” Light of the world You came down into darkness. Jesus Christ was born in the darkness of the night as a sign, as the Bible says in Isaiah 9:1 to 2 (NIV), “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentles- the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 

In 1847, Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure wrote the words and lyrics to this Christmas carol called, “O Holy Night”:

O holy night! The stars are brightly shinning, it is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth,

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth,

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn,

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night, O holy night, O night divine! 

This was the night when this world changed forever, this was the night Jesus Christ the Messiah was born, not only born a Saviour, but born a King. The Bright Morning Star has been born to bring light to all who live in darkness. His Light brings the dawn of a new day, for now is the day of God’s favour, now is the day of Salvation. 

My friend, even in the depths of the darkness of night Jesus Christ came as the Son of the Living God to bring you out of the darkness of the night into the light of a glorious new day; the day the Saviour was born. Now every day is the Saviour’s day. O night divine, O night when Christ was born a King, a Saviour, Healer and the One who will baptise in the Holy Spirit.  He came into the world at night. Oh what a prophetic fulfilment of Scripture. Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, born at night to save those living in darkness.

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Luke 2:10 (NIV) ~ But the angel said, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” 

What comfort for all mankind does this glorious message bring, what liberty from the shackles of sin is given to all mankind, what relief for the years of suffering, what eternal promise fulfilled. There is joy to be found in the good news about Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus Christ was the turning point for all mankind, announced by a heavenly choir of angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favour rests.” 

Faith, hope and love for all mankind came down when Jesus Christ was born. He brought us all a new beginning, a new way to go forward and begin again with faith, hope and love. 

Reverend Henry Biggs, in the 1996 film entitled, “The Preacher’s Wife” made this statement in one of his sermons at Christmastime: 

“Hope and love. Hope is all a prayer is. And love…loving is giving, pure and simple. But in love there is also forgiveness, and forgiveness belongs to everyone. It’s a right, like a right to breathe, or eat, or even to fall in love. Sometimes we take love for granted. Those who are nearest to us, dearest to us, those are the ones we forget to cherish, but the miracle is when we love someone we are really loving God. Look in wonder at those you love for they are the face of God. Today, I am truly blessed with hope and love. With the belief I can make a difference. We will help our poor, we will help our young, and our lonely and our needy. So now, let us begin again, let us go forward; forward in hope, forward in love, and forward into the new days of our lives.”    

My friend, we may send someone a card, or even a present, but what we are really saying is, “I love you.” When we have faith, hope and love flowing from our hearts, then our actions are Christ-centred. So let us love, let us have hope and great faith to go beyond this festive time and love more than necessary, and give more than what is expected just because we have faith, hope and love in Jesus flowing from our hearts, to bring peace on earth through the good news of Jesus Christ. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Luke 2:14 (NIV) ~ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.

God wants everyone to enjoy His favour and His peace.

While for many, this holiday season is one of great joy and festive cheer, for others, it is a time of great loneliness and despair. There is an incredible alarming rate in suicides, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence and in-laws fighting while others suffer various forms of cruelty.  Still others feel abandoned, with no money, and for them it is a bleak winter without a family to care for them; also the homeless, who live where they can rest their heads, as well as the destitute and prostitutes who would wish to give up their way of life.

“Merry Christmas everyone,” is the anthem being played from almost every corner. The mask of pretence slips after the presents have been opened, and old resentments which have festered away, like poison eating into the core of someone’s heart, boils over and burns people with acid tongues and flying fists.

Yet the word of God says in Luke 2:14 (NIV), “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” God wants everyone to enjoy His favour and His peace. He is not a God of disorder, agreements, fights, bitterness, or loneliness, but a God of peace, rest and order.  

Jesus Christ came into the world for peace to prevail, for reconciliation towards God and towards each other to be made manifest. He came to be a Father to the fatherless and to bring hope for a brighter future. It is only through Jesus Christ that these things can truly happen, and true radical changes can take place.

Christmas is not just a festive time once a year, but a 24/7, all-year-round outreach to bring the kingdom of God here on earth. His peace brings people together with Christ-like attitudes for each other. Oh, what a difference there would be if His favour would rest upon us all year round and fill us with His peace and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

My friend, at this Christmas time, may we be more Christ-like in the way we live our lives for the glory of God, and bring a merry Christ joy in to the hearts of those who need to know that He is real and cares for them just as much as He care for you and me. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners from every walk of life, to set people free from every form of drug, alcohol and abuse of all kinds. He came to bring liberty to those who suffer oppression, to heal the broken hearted and to deliver those trapped by circumstances which bring them the dreadful feeling of guilt and shame because of their ungodly living. Jesus Christ came to show them what true, pure love is and build it into their shattered lives. His love can rebuild lives and enable someone to step away from their empty way of life into His abundant Life, and have a bright future enjoying His favour, rest and peace.

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Luke 2:8 (NIV) ~ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 

The shepherds were the first to receive the good news about the Saviour’s birth; they were also the first to see the Great Shepherd who would lead His people, the sheep of His pasture.  

Can you imagine the shepherds on the fields nearby, their flocks lying down for the night in the open air, then suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

In a prophetic analogy, the shepherds were being faithful caring for their sheep, and there on the hill top the Glory of the Lord shone around them and they received a message of hope for all mankind: a Saviour has come, who is Christ the Lord. The shepherds were at the right place and the right time in the centre of the will of God. They then went down to Bethlehem, and burning bright within them was a message from God, having seen Jesus and spent time with Him, they returned glorifying and praising God. They were touched by His glory, and so they came down and went among the people, then returned to where they had come from to tell everyone about Jesus. 

There is a beautiful quote from the book called, “Hinds Feet on High Places”:

From the heights we leap and go, to the valleys down below,

Always answering to the call, to the lowest place of all. 

We can spend time on the hilltop being faithful just like the shepherds in our text for today, and we can experience the Glory of His Presence, where He prepares us to go to the lowest places, even down to the place of a cave-like stable. Then, with great joy, we go among the people with this great message of hope: Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests. 

My friend, good shepherds are faithful shepherds always looking after their sheep, they’re always in the centre of the will of God, and are always ready to go where God tells them to go. When we receive from God a hilltop experience we are then well-able and prepared to take the good news down among the people, with great joy. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Matthew 1:16 (Amplified Bible) ~ Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, Who is called the Christ. (The Messiah, the Anointed One). 

Such is the reverence and powerful meaning of the word, “Messiah” that it is only mentioned twice in the NIV Bible, both within the book of John 1:14 and 4:25. Although our precious Lord is called Jesus Christ, He is only called Messiah twice, first by a Jewish believer, then a Samaritan. The word Messiah means Anointed One; Christ. Messiah, Son of David, was to be an anointed leader who would bring an age of peace and liberty from oppression. In the New Testament, the Messiah Jesus, came first to bring liberty from sin and peace with God and He will come again to bring all things under His rule.     

We use the term Messiah with regards to the Saviour. The Jewish people longed for the Messiah to come; their Saviour, their coming King, the Anointed one from God sent to bring liberty, peace and a coming kingdom. 

Chris Tomlin wrote this beautiful worship song with these lyrics:

He became sin, who knew no sin, that we might become His Righteousness;
He humbled himself and carried the cross. Love so amazing, Love so amazing.
Jesus Messiah, Name above all names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel,
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven, Jesus Messiah, Lord of all. 

We all need a Saviour, a Messiah, to bring us liberty from sin and bring us peace with God; a healer, a restorer, a Paschal Lamb who took our place to redeem us and save us from our sin and from the punishment of hell.  We need a Saviour to rescue us, deliver us and bring us peace and eternal rest in heaven. The word “Messiah” is like soothing ointment poured over my spirit, body and soul. He brings healing in His name, Jesus Christ our Messiah.  

My friend, the Messiah came to be your Saviour, to redeem you and to bring you salvation. The Messiah came to heal every part of your life and make you whole. Our Messiah is Emmanuel, God with us. Will you accept the Messiah to be your Saviour today? 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) ~ Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

Three of the most defining moments which, to many, are far beyond human comprehension, are as follows:

1. The virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
2. The cross of Jesus Christ.
3. The resurrection of Jesus Christ.                                                                                             

Consider for a moment, the Immaculate Conception through which the Incarnate Deity came into this world.  The Seed that was not of this world was conceived within the womb of Mary through the Holy Spirit. He overshadowed her with the Presence of God, so that the Holy One to born of her would be called the Son of God, Immanuel; God with us.

Oh, how glorious does the hymn writer Charles Wesley pen these Holy Spirit inspired lyrics from the song, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”:

Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord!

Late in time behold Him come offspring of a Virgin’s womb,

Veiled in the flesh the Godhead see, Hail the Incarnate Deity,

Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. 

To the world this was an impossible task, but not to God, for with God all things are possible! He chose a faithful woman in Mary and a faithful and righteous man in Joseph.  God entrusted Joseph with taking care of Mary, and would have no union with her until after Jesus was born. The miracle of the virgin being with child can only be God, for it was a womb which was pure, not touched, nor defiled by human flesh, so a supernatural, Holy Seed could be conceived through a virgin. God of God, Light of Light, Lo! He abhors not the Virgin’s womb: Very God, Begotten, not created. He was born as a sign for all the world to know that God has sent a Saviour who will be called Jesus, to save His people from their sins.

We do not worship the virgin, but worship the God of the virgin who brought Jesus Christ into the world.  For even Mary called herself, the Lord’s servant, said this in Luke 1: 46 to 47 (NIV), “And Mary said, ‘My souls glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.’” 

My friend, we are not called to worship the virgin birth, just as we are not called to worship the cross of Jesus, nor His Resurrection. but we are called to worship Jesus Christ the Saviour of souls. The sign given by God was properly spoken of in our text for today from Isaiah 7:14 (NIV), “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” It was gloriously fulfilled when Jesus was born, low into poverty, under the curse, wrapped in swaddling clothes. The God of the Universe came down among His people to save them, to redeem them from the curse and bring them into His blessings. From the womb of a virgin to the cross of Calvary and His glorious Resurrection, Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) ~ Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

Three of the most defining moments which, to many, are far beyond human comprehension, are as follows:

1. The virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
2. The cross of Jesus Christ.
3. The resurrection of Jesus Christ.                                                                                             

Consider for a moment, the Immaculate Conception through which the Incarnate Deity came into this world.  The Seed that was not of this world was conceived within the womb of Mary through the Holy Spirit. He overshadowed her with the Presence of God, so that the Holy One to born of her would be called the Son of God, Immanuel; God with us.

Oh, how glorious does the hymn writer Charles Wesley pen these Holy Spirit inspired lyrics from the song, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”:

Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord!

Late in time behold Him come offspring of a Virgin’s womb,

Veiled in the flesh the Godhead see, Hail the Incarnate Deity,

Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. 

To the world this was an impossible task, but not to God, for with God all things are possible! He chose a faithful woman in Mary and a faithful and righteous man in Joseph.  God entrusted Joseph with taking care of Mary, and would have no union with her until after Jesus was born. The miracle of the virgin being with child can only be God, for it was a womb which was pure, not touched, nor defiled by human flesh, so a supernatural, Holy Seed could be conceived through a virgin. God of God, Light of Light, Lo! He abhors not the Virgin’s womb: Very God, Begotten, not created. He was born as a sign for all the world to know that God has sent a Saviour who will be called Jesus, to save His people from their sins.

We do not worship the virgin, but worship the God of the virgin who brought Jesus Christ into the world.  For even Mary called herself, the Lord’s servant, said this in Luke 1: 46 to 47 (NIV), “And Mary said, ‘My souls glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.’” 

My friend, we are not called to worship the virgin birth, just as we are not called to worship the cross of Jesus, nor His Resurrection. but we are called to worship Jesus Christ the Saviour of souls. The sign given by God was properly spoken of in our text for today from Isaiah 7:14 (NIV), “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” It was gloriously fulfilled when Jesus was born, low into poverty, under the curse, wrapped in swaddling clothes. The God of the Universe came down among His people to save them, to redeem them from the curse and bring them into His blessings. From the womb of a virgin to the cross of Calvary and His glorious Resurrection, Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins.  

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Psalm 86:9 (NIV) ~ All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. 

The past has gone, the future is yet to be, so now is the time to worship! There is no better time than right now, here in the present, to worship the Lord. Indeed, man’s chief aim is to worship God and enjoy Him forever. The word “come” is an open invitation to the “whosoever”. There are no restrictions or pre-required conditions to come to God, just come as you are into His open arms of grace, mercy and love. 

Come worship God in the simplicity of pure worship, with an open heart, with raw emotions poured out unto the Lord in reality of a radically changed, grateful life,

Come with hands raised and hearts surrendered,

Come with eyes closed, fully focused,

Come with palms open upward towards heaven,

Come bowed down on bended knee before Your King,

Come laying before ELOHIM ADONAI, the Creator of heaven and earth.

Come before Him as you travel to work,

Come before Him as you go to school or college,

Come before Him as you go shopping,

Come before Him wherever you may find yourself. 

Our daily lives are given over to Him, our bodies are offered as our reasonable acts of worship. In every aspect of our lives we live and worship Him. For in Him we live and move and have our being. 

My friend, in your heart, come just as you are before your God. Come, now is the time to worship. Come, for there is no better time than now to worship the Lord. His open invitation is here for all to respond to. So, let us come and worship the Lord our God in the beauty of holiness, in the splendour of His Majesty, in the power of His mighty Name. Come, now is the time to worship. In doing so, let us fulfil our part and be active participators in fulfilling our text from today in Psalm 86:9 (NIV), “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.”  

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Matthew 8:3 (NIV) ~ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. 

He reached out his hand.

The Creation of Adam is a section of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, painted in circa 1511.  In this picture you can see God reaching out to mankind. Today God is still reaching out mankind. 

In our text for today, Jesus reached out to the man and touched him and immediately the man was healed. Right now, His hand is reaching out the lost, the weary and those in need. Just when Peter was beginning to sink, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. Does that sound like a similar story? Jesus is still reaching out to lift us up, to help us and heal us today.

Notice if you will, the careful wording from our text for today, “Jesus reached out his hand.” His hand is open to help.  His open hand shows us the openness of His heart. His hand is not closed, nor is it held back, but is it open, reaching out. A hand or fist which is clenched is not open to help, but the hand of Jesus is open, reaching out to help. 

My friend, today His hand is reaching out to heal, to save, to deliver, lift up, touch you with His goodness and bring liberty to all. As He is reaching out to you with His love and compassion, will you reach out to Him? Turn to Jesus and, in faith, see His loving hand reaching out to you today. 

God bless, your friend in Jesus, Matthew.

Psalm 33:8 (NIV) Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 

There I stood in my living room on Monday night, December 14, 2009, the time approaching 9 pm, and in a spontaneous act of worship I found myself singing this wonderful old Swedish hymn, written by Carl Gustav Boberg, and translated into English by British missionary, Stuart K. Hine.  My hands were raised to heaven and my heart surrendered in awe of God, as my lungs filled with praise, and adoration poured out from my lips with every syllable, to God.

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the works Thy hands have made,

I see the stars; I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art! 

My praise in private to God flows from a deep relationship with Him. I burst out into spontaneous praise to Jesus because I am so in love with Him that I find it hard to hold back my songs of gratitude and worship to Him. It has now been over twenty-three years since I first fell in love with Jesus, and it just gets sweeter as each and every day goes by. I stand in awe of His deeds and His great love for me. I stand in awe of His ultimate sacrifice for my sin on the cross of Calvary, just because He loved me. I consider every day a gift from God and I am blessed beyond measure to have His Life in me, His love surrounding me, His blood over me, His everlasting arms under me, His glory before me and His goodness and mercy following me all the days of my life. To know His forgiveness, His pardon for my sins, to know His grace, which I could never do anything to earn, or I even attain to, by works of the flesh, to know He loves me without limit; for this and more, I stand in awe of God and I marvel at the works of His hands. 

My friend, to fear the Lord is the beginning of understanding. Our text for today says in Psalm 33:8 (NIV), “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” Come, now is the time to worship Him in reverence and awe, for He is truly an awesome God; an awesome God who gave His all through Jesus Christ for you and me so that we might know Him. How great the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure, that He would give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure. 

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art! 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Mark 1:15 (KJV) ~ “…And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” 

I believe it is the will of God for His kingdom to be established here on earth and for everyone of us to do our best to accomplish His will in the kingdom, for the Bible says in Matthew 6:10 (KJV), “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

Bringing the kingdom of God on earth and Kingdom living is what we are called to be involved in. It is not just about talking about eternity and waiting until we get to heaven, but it is here and now, in our generation.

The Bible says in Romans 14:17 (NIV), “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Also, once again, in 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV), “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” The kingdom of heaven is at hand, it is here.  Luke 17:21 (KJV) says, “Neither shall they say, ‘Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.’”  The kingdom of God is within us, therefore let us allow it to be manifest in every area of our lives and let usestablish His kingdom here on earth by His works, by His words and by the fire and power of the Holy Spirit.

Cecil Frances Alexander once wrote:

Thank You, O my Father for giving us Your Son,

And leaving Your Spirit till the work on earth is done. 

How do we manifest His kingdom on this earth? We do so by kingdom living, by moving in the fire and power of the Holy Spirit, by helping the poor, feeding the needy, fighting for justice and truth, lifting up the downtrodden, being of a different spirit of those of this world, reaching the lost and helping whoever we can, whenever we can, in His Mighty Name.

We are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Listen to this verse about Jesus in Acts 10:38  (KJV), “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Jesus said that he did great works but, we would do greater than these, bearing much fruit for the kingdom of God.

Martin Luther once said, “Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works.” That is exactly what we are called to do; good works in His name, bringing His kingdom here on earth in a proactive way touching lives by kingdom living and godly principals. 

My friend, the kingdom of God is not just to enjoy when we go to heaven, but for us to enjoy while we are living here on earth. His kingdom is about pardon, power, peace, progress, people and having a positive impact in their lives for the kingdom of God. Wherever we go, His kingdom goes with us. May we be agents of change as we bring His kingdom to whomever we meet, for the glory of God. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Ephesians 5:16 (NIV) ~ Making the most of every opportunity.

Up is a 2009 American, computer-animated, comedy-adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. In the film, Carl Fredricksen, is a shy and quiet young boy who meets an enthusiastic and outgoing girl named Ellie. As they are playing together, they discover that they share the same interest in exploration, and their hero is the famous explorer, Charles F. Muntz.

Ellie tells Carl of her desire to move her clubhouse to Paradise Falls in South America, and makes Carl promise to help. Carl and Ellie grow up, get married and grow old together in the old house where they first met, while Carl made a living selling balloons, and Ellie worked as a zookeeper. Unable to have children, they repeatedly try to save up for the trip to Paradise Falls, but, as life would have it, other financial obligations arise which require them to use their savings over and over again. Just as they’re finally about to take their trip, Ellie becomes ill and dies, leaving Carl regretting not doing it sooner. Your heartstrings are touched and you find yourself with this overwhelming thought, “If only.” 

If you allow setbacks to keep you from fulfilling your dream of taking that step forward, you will one day look back when you are old and unable to do all the things which you once dreamed of and say, “If only.” 

It is said that two of the saddest words in the English language are, “If only.”

If only I had taken that step of faith,

If only I had the courage to ask her out,

If only I had applied myself more at school,

If only I had responded to God’s calling and gone to Bible College,

If only I had acted upon His leading to be a missionary,

If only I had taken the step of faith and trained for the ministry,

If only I had said, “Yes,” to Jesus when He called me to serve Him. 

There have been many people like Carl, who never took the opportunity to go and do something when Ellie was younger,  and lived with the sad thought, “If only.” 

I remember well the story of the couple who, in their twilight years, sat at the table one day and asked each other, “So, when we first got married, what did God say to you?” They both said the same thing: “God was calling me into the ministry, to go into the mission field.” Then the man said to the woman, “But I did not want to say anything to you just in case you never had the same calling.” She said the same thing. Then, with tears in their eyes, they wept as they embraced in a gesture of trying to comfort each other and whispered, “If only.” 

My friend, if you have a dream, a vision from God, then may I encourage you to do it. We only have one life to live, so let us live it for Jesus Christ, on fire with the Holy Spirit. For He who has called you will fully equip you for whatever task He has called you to do. It is time to rise above the shortcomings of life and take that step of faith. We should never let our shortcomings or fear dictate our path, but fully turn over every situation to God so He can turn things around for us. He will turn our negative into a positive, and He will supply all our needs. Our text for today says in Ephesians 5:16 (NIV), “Making the most of every opportunity.” We will never look back with tears of regret in our eyes, saying, “If only,” because we have willingly said, “Yes,” to Jesus.

God bless you my friend, Matthew

Isaiah 54:13 (KJV) ~ And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. 

I am one of thousands, if not millions, of father’s around this world who are going through custody litigation to get to see their children. At times it is a very lonely and hurtful path to tread. If you have never gone down this path, then you can only sympathise and never fully understand the heartache of being separated from your child, especially if you share the same birthday, and you have not seen them for birthdays, Father’s Days or even Christmas Days. 

When I do see my son, I tell him how much I have missed him, I tell him that I love him and I am so proud of him, and that I will never give up on him. I pray for him and think about him all the time.

I have a few pictures of him that I keep in my Bible, so when I read my Bible every day I look at his picture and pray for him, often with tears in my eyes. If I could catch my tears in a bottle I could fill it up, just to show my son how much I have wept for him in prayer, because I love him and miss him so much. 

His picture is ever before the Lord, as I pray about his education and the progress he is making in school.  This verse brings me comfort and a great peace from Isaiah 54:13 (KJV), “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”  I intercede on my knees before my heavenly Father for my son, for him to be taught of the Lord, so God will teach him and enable him to excel in school. I pray for my son to have peace, and not be anguish about learning or taking school tests; for great will be his peace from God.  My prayer is also for God to be his confidence and strength in every area of his life. 

My friend, if you are in the same situation as myself, or know of someone who is, then let me encourage you to believe God, in great faith, for your children’s upbringing and education. Stand in the gap for them, lift them up daily before your heavenly Father and claim this promise over their lives from Isaiah 54:13 (KJV), “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Galatians 6:14 (NIV) ~ May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

On Golgotha’s hill, crucified, my Jesus took the punishment of my sin and He laid His life upon the altar of sacrifice so that I, the guilty one, may go free. I see His love for me, taking all the punishment which was due to me, by Divine justice to sinful state, for my disobedience and lawlessness before a Holy God. He took my rightful place, in an act of Divine exchange, the just for the unjust, so that all the blessings for the sinless obedience of Jesus Christ, may be made available to me. Oh, Lord, I marvel at your saving grace. 

Fanny J. Crosby once wrote this beautiful old hymn: 

Jesus, keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream, flows from Calvary’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
Till my raptured soul shall find, rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul, love and Mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star, sheds its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day, with its shadows o’er me.

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait, hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand, just beyond the river.  

If I boast in anything, let it be this: at the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ, for a world of lost sinners, was slain. By His own blood He paid the price for my redemption. His body bore the beating marks of my guilt. He was pieced for my transgressions, the punishment that was brought upon Him brought me peace and by His wounds I am healed.  Oh, how my burdened soul found liberty at the cross of Calvary. The Bible says in Galatians 6:14 (NIV), “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” May I preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the saving of souls, for the healing of the sick and raising of the dead. Oh, from the cross of Jesus Christ upon Calvary’s hill, came salvation for all mankind, “‘tis music to the sinner’s ears, ‘tis life and health and peace.” 

My friend, all my earthly boasting does not come anywhere near His amazing grace, His loving-kindness, and His tender mercies. Our text for today says in Galatians 6:14 (NIV), “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” May I boast in Him and Him alone, and stand in awe of His amazing grace. Today, come afresh to the foot of the cross; let the healing, cleansing flow of the precious blood of Jesus Christ from the cross of Calvary wash over your soul. When you come to the cross of Jesus Christ and by faith believe He died in your place and accept Him as your Saviour and Lord, His love will radically change you; it will fill your life with His LIFE. 

“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day.” 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Mark 8:23 (NIV) ~ He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.  

The village of Bethsaida was one that the Lord condemned for its lack of faith. Here, we have a blind man living within the confines of Bethsaida, right in the middle of the town centre. Oh for the grace of God to reach out to us, in our towns of “Bethsaida” with a miracle. 

Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him away:

From defeat into victory,

From a town of unbelief to a place of miracles,

From living in the darkness to living in the light,

From being blind to receiving his sight,

From being in a pit of despair to living in a place of glorious joy;

Jesus led him by the hand to a better place. 

“Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me on, let me stand…” on firm solid ground where my faith will rise up and believe you for anything. Take my hand dear Lord, lead me to a better place than where I am just now, to place where the shackles of unbelief no longer have a hold over me. Set me free Lord, set me free.

 My friend, reach out for the hand of Jesus, let Him lead you out of the figurative town of Bethsaida into the openness of God’s glorious vast place where all things are possible with Him; to the place where our limited thinking does not confine us because of our “Bethsaida” background, but to a place where we are liberated, led by the hand of Jesus to believe God for anything. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Psalm 25:5 (NIV) ~ For you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long. 

On the 3^rd of December 2009, at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, a gentleman knocked on my door, put out his hand and offered me a small pebble. I looked at it and asked, “What is this for?” He said with a smile on his face, “It is a gift for you, it will bring you peace and prosperity, happiness and joy, when you put your faith in it, it will bring you luck. Now to make your lucky stone work you must buy something from me.” I gave him back his bit of gravel which, unknown to him, I had seen him pick up a handful of from the building site nearby before I walked into the house, about ten minutes previously.   

My hope, my trust is in the Lord my God; it is in the Creator, rather than things which have been created. In the words of an old hymn written by Edward Mote:

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness,

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.  

The Bible says in Acts 17:28 (KJV), “For in him we live, and move, and have our being.” My happiness, my peace and my prosperity does not depend on, nor is it influenced by, objects or anything other than Jesus Christ my Saviour. For me there are no such things as gods to which you chant to that bring you luck, no lucky charms that you wear, or horseshoes over the door of your house that chase away bad luck and bring you only good. Only trusting in the Saviour of souls can bring you perfect peace and contentment. 

When I was a child, I would buy a lucky bag (little sweets and toys in a paper bag) not knowing what was in it, but hoping for the best. However, more often than not, I was sorely disappointed with what was in those little bags; my hope was misplaced. My life now is in the hands of the Living God, as our text for today says in Psalm 25:5 (NIV), “For you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long.” When we put our hope in Him we are never disappointed. 

My friend, how many times in life have you reached for the lucky bag of life only to be disappointed? When we give our life over to the Living God, and put our trust in the Creator, rather any object that has been created, we will find true joy, happiness, perfect peace and His blessings of prosperity. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Exodus 15:2 (Amplified Bible) ~ The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation; this is my God. 

Just the other day I met a young man while I was in a shopping queue. With sheer arrogance, he tried to jump the queue. I said to him in very polite manner, “Sir, there is an orderly queue. “ He looked at me with a frown on his face and barked at me, saying, “If you do not let me go in front of you, I will set the god of my juju ring on you!” At this, I looked at him and laughed, and then replied, “If your god can fit in the inside of such a tiny ring, I feel sorry for you. But as for my God, He made the whole universe, He is my all-powerful God! His power can never be contained in such a tiny ring like that, for He is an almighty, awesome God!” The look on his face was priceless. He was stunned into silence and walked away with his tail between his legs. 

The Bible says in Acts 17:24 (NIV), “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.” He is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. We cannot try to put God in a box with our limited, earthly thinking, for He is far bigger then we could ever think, or imagine. He is the Mighty God! Far beyond our reach! Unsurpassable in power and justice, this is my God. 

My friend, God is a  faithful God, who is bigger, stronger and more powerful than anything; this is my God! He is strong to deliver, mighty to save, powerful to heal and sovereign over all, this is my God! He is my strength, my song, my shield, my high tower, my refuge, he is my joy and my salvation, and this is my God! My heart leaps like a gazelle, like a calf released from the stall with joy, as I confess His name and declare in our text for today in Exodus 15:2 (Amplified Bible), “The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation; this is my God.” 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV) ~ My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 

The Message translation of the Bible opens up this verse like this: “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.” 

When I am weak, then I am strong,

Grace is my shield and Christ is my song.  

Your emptiness is but the preparation for you being filled; your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up. Your moments of extremities are God’s opportunities to show Himself strong on your behalf. Many a saint has trodden the path of hardship and suffering which comes in its various forms, and God turned their moments of weakness into great victories of faith, which enabled them to face anything this world could throw at them. As they fully trusted in the His faithfulness, they overcame by His Divine gift of grace. Here is their testimony from Hebrews 11:34 (NIV), “whose weakness was turned to strength.” 

The Bible says 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NIV), “God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” Therefore, when we feel weak and are at our lowest point, it is at this pivotal point where we feel the strongest, because His power is made perfect in our weakness; we are clothed in His strength. His strength enables us to face any foe, any hardship, any short coming, knowing that His grace is enough, His grace is all-sufficient for us, for our strength in made perfect in weakness. His grace hath led me safe thus far and grace will lead me home. 

My friend, whatever you may face, may you face it with this confidence: His grace is sufficient of you, for His strength is made perfect in your weakness.  

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

John 6:9 (NIV) ~ Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish. 

Out of the 5,000 people who were there, only one little boy was willing to give what he had to Jesus. Just one little boy, just one person from a crowd of 5,000 besides woman and children, gave what little he had to Jesus. God used his simple offering and met the needs of the 5,000 people besides woman and children, and they were all satisfied. Afterwards, the disciples filled twelve baskets full with what was left over. Imagine how much God could bless us and multiply our harvest of righteousness, with His abundance until our baskets are overflowing with His blessings, all because of our simple child-like willingness to give to Jesus what little we have. Even if you think you have nothing to offer God but your love, God will use it to bless the multitudes with whatever we give Him.

Kathryn Kuhlman once said, “One day I just looked up and said, ‘Wonderful Jesus, I have nothing, I have nothing to give you but my love, it’s all that I can give you, I love you with all my heart. I give you my body as a living sacrifice. If you can take nothing and use it, then here is nothing. It is not silver vessels that He is asking for, it is not golden vessels that he needs, He just needs you to say, “Yes.”’” 

You may go to a church full of people who faithfully attend every week to listen to the words of Jesus, just like the crowd who had gathered to follow Him and listen to His words. Now imagine what could happen if you were the only one who stepped forward and gave what little you have to Jesus. Then, God could use it all for His glory so the baskets of your church would be full, and everyone touched by a miracle from the hand of Jesus. 

My friend, you may be in a congregation of 30, 50, 100 or even a 1,000 people, but all it takes is just one person to be willing to say, “Yes,” to Jesus. To say to Jesus, “Please Lord, take what little I have and use it for the Kingdom of God.” Then, God will take what little you have and multiply it by a miracle to meet the needs of the multitudes. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV) ~ Nothing is too hard for you. 

Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV), “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” The depth of this awesome question reaches far beyond my feeble mind to a place where I turn to God to help me grasp this life-changing truth, to enter into a greater realm of faith where I can believe God for anything. Where my soul cries out, “my ELOHIM ADONAI is my God, He is an all-powerful God and nothing is to hard for Him. When we go back ten verses of Scripture, we can read the answer to the question in Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV), “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” 

Nothing is difficult for God to do! There is no sickness He cannot heal.

There is no obstacle He cannot overcome. There is no stronghold He cannot bring down.

There is no wall He cannot breakthrough. There is no soul He cannot save.

There is no backslider He cannot reach. There is no enemy He cannot defeat.

There is no miracle He cannot do.

For the Bible says in Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV), “Nothing is too hard for you.” 

Kay Chance once penned this faith-filled song with these powerful lyrics: 

Ah Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power,

Ah Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thine outstretched arm.

Nothing is too difficult for Thee; nothing is too difficult for Thee,

O great and mighty God, great in counsel and mighty in deed,

Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing, nothing is too difficult for Thee. 

God asked the question in Genesis 18:14 (NIV), “Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”

There is no barren womb God cannot open and bless.

There is no Egypt experience that God cannot deliver you from.

There is no mighty work God will not do for you.

There is nothing, absolutely nothing, God cannot do!

In childlike faith we come to Him and sing the old Sunday school song with a heart full of joy, believing in His awesome promise:

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty,

There’s nothing that He cannot do! 

My friend, we have this in God, confidence to approach the throne of grace, to seek His unmerited favour, knowing the blessed truth which is found in our text for today in Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV), “Nothing is too hard for you.” There is no impossible situation He cannot make possible! For our God is an awesome God, who is strong to deliver and mighty to save! With God all things are possible, for there is nothing too hard for Him and nothing He cannot do. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Deuteronomy 28:2 (NIV) ~ All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God. 

All these blessing will come upon you and accompany you when you obey the LORD your God. Such a simple verse to understand yet, the outworking of this verse for many people seems a difficult price to pay. In a nutshell, obedience brings the blessings. 

What are “all these blessings”? Well, let us take a little look and see from Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26:  God’s blessing inside the city, God’s blessing in the country, God’s blessing on your children, the crops of your land, the young of your livestock, the calves of your herds, the lambs of your flocks; God’s blessing on your basket and bread bowl; God’s blessing in your coming in, God’s blessing in your going out.  He will grant you peace, and five of you will chase a hundred and one hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. God will look on you with favour, God will keep His covenant and you will walk with your head held high. God will grant you abundant prosperity; you will always be on top, for it is God’s will for you to be the head and not the tail. 

Just imagine all these blessings are waiting to not only come upon you, but also accompany you, all the days of your life, if you would simply obey His covenant. His covenant blessings are conditional, when you do your part and walk in obedience to God, God will honour His part and allow all these blessings to come upon you. 

My friend, oh, for grace to trust Him more. Lord, as we obey and walk in your truth may all these blessings come upon us. Lord, open the floodgates of heaven and let your blessings pour down upon us, so that all these blessing can wash over every area of our lives. Grant us Your favour and let all these blessings come upon us, and accompany us, all the days of our lives for now and ever more, thank you Lord. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew

Hebrews 3:1 (NIV) ~ Fix your thoughts on Jesus.

Five times in Scriptures the word “fix” is used by God to give us direction. God gives us a clear direction to keep our focus fixed upon His will; for us to permanently maintain our focus, our centre of attention, firmly on God.  

1. Deuteronomy 11:18 (NIV),”Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds.”   

Here, we are admonishes to keep our hearts and minds, our intellect and the very fibre of our being, always feasting on the word of God, constantly meditating on His word and doing His will.    

2.  Proverbs 4:24-31 (NIV), “Fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

This verse cautions us to keep our direction on the right path, to follow only His ways, to not be side-tracked by distractions, but to stay on the firm path of the King’s highway.  

3.   2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV), “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

This is a reminder to keep looking through the eyes of faith to God, and the things of heaven. For the things of this world will pass, but the eternal things of God will never fade or pass away. Keep you focus in the centre of His will.  

4.  Hebrews 3:1 (NIV), “Fix your thoughts on Jesus.”

Your thoughts can be the hardest battleground to fight for. Nevertheless, when you keep your thoughts fixed on Jesus, He will guard your heart and mind and keep you pure. When we fix our thoughts on Jesus, we do not dwell on the negative things of this world, but rather the positive attributes of the Kingdom of God.  

5. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV), “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.”

There is no one more beautiful than Jesus to fix your eyes upon. Let us fix our eyes on His ultimate sacrifice on the cross of Calvary for our sins. Fix our eyes upon His glorious resurrection; fix our eyes upon Jesus, the Lover of our souls. Fix our eyes upon Jesus to be saved, healed, delivered and set free. Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus in our time of need. Fix your eyes on Jesus at all times. 

My friend, as the Bible says in five different occasions, each with a practical and life-changing meaning, “Let us fix” our hearts, our minds, our gaze, our thoughts and our eyes constantly upon God’s word, the things of His kingdom, His direction, things that are eternal in heaven, but most of all, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and never take them off Him. 

Michael Frye once wrote these wonderful words all about Jesus being the centre, with our eyes, thoughts, hearts and minds fixed upon Jesus. 

Jesus, be the centre, be my source, be my light, Jesus,
Jesus, be the centre, be my hope, be my song, Jesus,
Be the fire in my heart, be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live, Jesus, Jesus.

God bless you my friend, Matthew

Esther 8:14 (NIV) ~ the couriers, riding the royal horses, raced out, spurred on by the king’s command. 

Oh, how this verse captures my imagination. It stirs me up with a fire within my bones to make haste with the message of the gospel. These horses were no ordinary horses, but royal ones bred as champions, the finest, and the best you would ever find. These riders were trusted with a message of deliverance, a promise from the King, which brought great rejoicing for whom it was intended. The Darby Translation of the Bible brings this verse alive with these words: “The couriers mounted on coursers and horses of blood went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment.”

Horses of a royal bloodline bred for the King’s purposes. Those who rode on them were chosen for their integrity, chosen for their loyalty to the King. They were those who, at a moment’s notice would, with great haste, obey the King’s command.  Here we have those chosen by the King to be couriers of his message, fired on by the King’s command to bring the good news. 

Time is pressing within our land, people need the good news. Quick! Let us mount the King’s horses and be couriers of His message to His people who are longing to have hope and longing to be given good news so they may rejoice, for their King is mighty to save! 

Listen, can you hear? Look! Can you see how with haste come the King’s trusted couriers into every hamlet, every village, every town and every city to declare the good news from the King? Full of zeal and with a smile, so delighted to share with one and all this message, “Today is the day of Salvation, trust in the words of the King and be saved! Believe in His promise and live!” When the people received the good news and believed in the promise from the King, they celebrated with great joy. 

My friend, God speed our calling as we, with great haste, climb upon the King’s horses and ride with a purpose, driven with love, fired up by the King’s commands to bring His message of good news to the people. Let us therefore ride the lengthen and breadth of our land with the urgent message from our King to one and all, declaring in His authority, “Today is the day of Salvation, trust in the words of the King and be saved! Believe in His promise and live!” When you received the good news from the King and believe in his promise, you will celebrate with great joy, for your King is strong to deliver and mighty to save. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Song of Solomon 2:8 (NIV) ~ Listen! My lover! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills. 

Here he comes to my aid, no mountain, no hill, no valley, no obstacle, will stand between God coming to me when I call upon His name. Here he comes bounding over the hills coming to my rescue. Whenever I call His name, He is right there by my side. Look my soul, look, my Jesus is coming to me, and the Lover of my soul comes to me. 

Nicolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson wrote the words to this beautiful song, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” It contained these lyrics:

If you need me, call me, no matter where you are, no matter how far,

Just call my name, I’ll be there in a hurry, you don’t have to worry,

Ain’t no mountain high enough, ain’t no valley low enough, ain’t no river wide enough,

To keep me from getting to you.  

Swift like a gazelle, bounding so gracefully, does my Jesus come to me. The Lover of my soul spoke to me saying, “My darling, my beautiful one” (Song of Solomon 2:13). For someone to call you His beautiful one, His darling, the one whom he loves and laid His life upon the altar of sacrifice to save you, shows His pure and amazing love for you.

My friend, when you pray, the Lover of your soul, Jesus Christ, comes to you with the answer to your prayers. 

Christ is the answer to my every need, Christ is the answer, He is my friend indeed;

Problems of life, my spirit, may assail, with Christ My Saviour I shall never fail,

For Christ is the answer to my need.  

Oh, what a beautiful verse to encourage your heart with today, from our text in Song of Solomon 2:8 (NIV), “Listen! My lover! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills.” No sooner are the words of prayer off your lips, then look! Here he comes, my Saviour, My Messiah, the Lover of your soul, Jesus Christ, with the answer to your prayer! 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Philippians 2:20 (Amplified Bible) ~ For I have no one like him no one of so kindred a spirit, who will be so genuinely interested in your welfare and devoted to your interests. 

What a beautiful description of two people working together with one purpose for the things of the kingdom of God. The word “kindred” means someone having similar qualities; related by blood. Wow, now that is something to think about; having a kindred spirit, brought together with a different spirit, one of unity with the same interests, related by blood. We are all washed in the same blood, that precious blood of Jesus Christ, having the same goal, with the same vision, with spirit of unity in the Lord. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:7 to 9 (NIV), “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour, for we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 

Here is something else to consider, the world uses a term to describe a close relationship between two people and they call it “soul mates.”  However, there is something stronger than a soul mate, for the term in itself has limitations, it only scratches the surface of true relationships and it only touches souls. But to have a spiritual relationship with someone and find a wife or husband who shares the same interests, who has the same goals, who wants to glorify God with their relationship is called being of “kindred spirit”; touching way past just the soul, for the soul is but temporary, while the things of the spirit are eternal. To be of a kindred spirit and having a passion to walk hand in hand, step-by-step, in unity before the Lord in serving Him together in the things of the Kingdom, is to have a kindred spirit, related by the blood of Jesus. Being born of the same seed is of far greater worth than to simply be a soul mate.    

My friend, oh, what it would be like to have someone of a kindred spirit to run the race with in Christ Jesus. The Bible says in Psalm 133:1 (KJV), “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” As we dwell together as kindred spirits, wanting to work together for the glory of God, then it is there the Lord commands the blessing. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.

Luke 14:10 (KJV) Friend, go up higher to a better place. 

Go up higher to a better place,

Go up higher to a new place of blessings,

Go up higher to a new place of victory,

Go up higher to a new place of abundance,

Go up higher to a new place of glory,

Go up higher to new realms of faith,

Go up higher to soar to new heights,

Go up higher to be closer to Jesus. 

Listen to the words from the one who calls you his friend, ‘go up higher to a better place.’ His invitation for you is to move on up to a better place. There are realms of great faith, victory, and glory, of power, fire and passion in the Holy Spirit yet to be discovered, listen to His invitation to you today for our text in Luke 14:10 (KJV) Friend, go up higher a better place. 

His desire is to bless you and lift you up to better places than you have ever known before. His desire is for you to soar like the Eagle, with wind of the Holy Spirit beneath your wings lifting you higher, higher, and higher to a better place than where you are just now. 

My friend, oh may we have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to us today from Luke 14:10 (KJV) Friend, go up higher to a better place. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.