I had great difficulty sleeping last night and was awake at about 4.00 am. It was a good time to spend with the Lord. I love the early morning especially when I don't have to rush off to work. Always reminds of when I was young...I was never too keen to get out of bed on school days but on weekends I was up with the birds.
This morning we had an appointment with the Cambodian Army. Nine AM we arrived at the camp outside Opres Village, Otawoa Commune, Pailin City, Pailin Province to be received by an assortment of Generals and about one hundred and sixty soldiers and some of their family members. I am always so impressed when in the company of the soldiers, there is just an air that really appeals to me...I respect them so and commend their work of defence and protection of their country and their people. There continues to be significant tension and regular skirmishes between the Thais and the Cambodians and here we are are about twenty kilometres from the border. As I commend them for their service to King and country I ask them, "Who defends you?" I present Jesus as their defender and over one hundred (not sure of exact number) receive the King. We present them with Bibles and water filters, mosquito nets and diesel generators all supplied by the donors through Cambodia WTL. Bless you all for your ministry of word and deed.
I am now back in the hotel in Battambang City after lunching with the camp commanders. We have an easy afternoon before tomorrow when we bring Jesus to two new places.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Cambodia - Saturday 29th September 2012
Last night the joy of the Lord bubbled over at dinner as the team met. The mood was so light-hearted and life giving and the banter flowed back and forth. It was so fantastic. Cambodian jokes, which are very different to what we are used to, vied with Australian jokes but the joke of the night must go to Ps.Samnang, my brother. He is the Director of AFCI Cambodia and he must take top prize. This is his joke for your enjoyment.
During my meditation time this week I read a devotion that I would like to share with you. I'm not going to tell you the name of the writer as I have found that his name arouses a 'reaction'. So I acknowledge the writer and share his writing with you...
So, we headed out of Battambang City to meet with two 'celebrations' in the province. The Lord is not willing that any should miss Him when He passes by (remember Zacchaeus?) and He was pleased to pass by Battambang today.
Firstly at Toul Snoul Village, Tapon Commune, Sang Ke District, Battambang Province. As I drove I knew I had been here before and it was later as I sat outside a tiny church in Tapon that I realised that many years ago I had stood in the paddock nearby and shared the gospel with a crowd of people including some local gangsters an fifty-three people had received Jesus. At that time we had felt compelled by God to purchase land here and the little church has been built on that land. Ps. Sopheap, one of our team, confirmed this as he was there that day. Sadly the church is now pastored by a pastor that is preaching a law message and so the church is dying. Praise the Lord the pastor was happy for us to come today and share the gospel of grace with the people. As Ps. Samnang observed, with his usual smile, the Lord brought me to bring Life years ago and now He brings me again to bring Life to restore His Grace and His Truth. As I write into my mind comes more scripture..."For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John1: 17 Two opposites on either side of the semi-colon. Law given...oh praise the Lord grace and truth came! Some say "Oh yes it is okay to preach grace but the people need to hear truth too!" What a load of...! Please understand, if you study the original you will find that 'grace and truth' are actually a singular unit as they are followed by the singular verb 'came.' Grace and truth are one and the same, grace (unmerited favour) is truth and truth is grace (unmerited favour). So we meet nearby to hear grace and truth and the Lord is mighty to save and heal. Ninety souls won for Christ and many healings.
The road to the celebration site was exceedingly muddy and we were unable to drive so had to walk, maybe a couple of kilometres. It was quite comical to watch us slipping our way along the road and being overtaken by Cambodians on their motos like as if the road is quite normal. I arrived at the site quite a few centimetres taller than when I began. On the way back when hitched a ride on a tractor like contraption and I got to drive. When had the pedal to the metal on the way and arrived home nice and dry!
In the afternoon we moved on to another celebration nearby and again were so privileged to share the good news of Jesus Christ and receive the abundant grace of God for healings as we prayed with the people. The Lord is the Saviour and He gathered in ninety-eight souls for His Kingdom...ninety-eight more who will stand with us in glory and receive the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, our Bridegroom. Jesus!
Tomorrow the army at Pailin.
Bless you all for your support. All glory to God.
A large group of men get to heaven and an announcement is made, "All the men who were afraid of their wives please stand to the side." All the men stand to the side except for one. The one who remains is asked, "Why do you remain standing there?" His reply, "Because my wife told me to."This morning we woke to rain. It looked as if the rain from Phnom Penh had arrived but it cleared although it was overcast most of the day. We headed out of Battambang City into the province. As we travelled we discussed calling these 'events' rallies...rallies sounds like a hard word when this is receiving the sweet, refreshing message of Jesus. Unless you have a better idea we decided on 'celebration.' So our rallies are now celebrations of Jesus.
During my meditation time this week I read a devotion that I would like to share with you. I'm not going to tell you the name of the writer as I have found that his name arouses a 'reaction'. So I acknowledge the writer and share his writing with you...
" 'A heart at peace gives life to the body...' Proverbs 14: 30
'Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.' John 14: 27
Now Jesus would not have used the word 'peace'. He would have used the word 'shalom' - 'Shalom I leave with you, My shalom I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.' In the Hebrew vernacular, 'shalom' is a very rich and loaded word. There is no English word that can accurately encapsulate the fullness, richness, and power contained in the word 'shalom.' Hence, English Bible translators were only able to translate it as 'peace.' But while the word 'shalom' includes peace, it means so much more. The Hebrew Lexicon describes 'shalom' as completeness, safety, soundness (in body), welfare, health, prosperity, peace, quiet, tranquility, contenetment, peace used of human relationships, peace with God especially in our covenant relationship, and peace from war. Wow! What a powerful word. This the shalom that Jesus has bequeathed you. His completeness, His safety, His soundness, His welfare, His health, His prosperity, His peace, His quietness, His tranquility, His contentment, His peace in human relationships, His peace with God through the covenant made at the cross and His peace from war. All these my friend are part of your inheritance in Christ today."It cannot escape you that the statement Jesus made in John 14 was one of the last things He said before He departed. He went on to the cross and He bore the wounds that were due us for our transgression; He suffered the bruises that were due us for our iniquities; He received the chastisement that was due us so we recieve His shalom; and He received the stripes that were due us so that we receive the healing. And He did it for free. Why strive so hard to 'please' God when scripture is so clear. Why 'work' so hard to keep His commandments when scripture is so clear.
" And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us." 1 John 3: 23, 24Wow! Thank You Jesus. Thank You God.
So, we headed out of Battambang City to meet with two 'celebrations' in the province. The Lord is not willing that any should miss Him when He passes by (remember Zacchaeus?) and He was pleased to pass by Battambang today.
Firstly at Toul Snoul Village, Tapon Commune, Sang Ke District, Battambang Province. As I drove I knew I had been here before and it was later as I sat outside a tiny church in Tapon that I realised that many years ago I had stood in the paddock nearby and shared the gospel with a crowd of people including some local gangsters an fifty-three people had received Jesus. At that time we had felt compelled by God to purchase land here and the little church has been built on that land. Ps. Sopheap, one of our team, confirmed this as he was there that day. Sadly the church is now pastored by a pastor that is preaching a law message and so the church is dying. Praise the Lord the pastor was happy for us to come today and share the gospel of grace with the people. As Ps. Samnang observed, with his usual smile, the Lord brought me to bring Life years ago and now He brings me again to bring Life to restore His Grace and His Truth. As I write into my mind comes more scripture..."For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John1: 17 Two opposites on either side of the semi-colon. Law given...oh praise the Lord grace and truth came! Some say "Oh yes it is okay to preach grace but the people need to hear truth too!" What a load of...! Please understand, if you study the original you will find that 'grace and truth' are actually a singular unit as they are followed by the singular verb 'came.' Grace and truth are one and the same, grace (unmerited favour) is truth and truth is grace (unmerited favour). So we meet nearby to hear grace and truth and the Lord is mighty to save and heal. Ninety souls won for Christ and many healings.
The road to the celebration site was exceedingly muddy and we were unable to drive so had to walk, maybe a couple of kilometres. It was quite comical to watch us slipping our way along the road and being overtaken by Cambodians on their motos like as if the road is quite normal. I arrived at the site quite a few centimetres taller than when I began. On the way back when hitched a ride on a tractor like contraption and I got to drive. When had the pedal to the metal on the way and arrived home nice and dry!
In the afternoon we moved on to another celebration nearby and again were so privileged to share the good news of Jesus Christ and receive the abundant grace of God for healings as we prayed with the people. The Lord is the Saviour and He gathered in ninety-eight souls for His Kingdom...ninety-eight more who will stand with us in glory and receive the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, our Bridegroom. Jesus!
Tomorrow the army at Pailin.
Bless you all for your support. All glory to God.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Cambodia - Friday 28th September 2012
Raining this morning. We have reports that it is pouring in Phnom Penh with widespread flooding.
Our team meets to pray and share the Lord's Supper together. Why do we do that? The Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion or whatever you wish to call it is the covenant meal of the New Covenant. It asks us to remember Him. We don't just try to 'imagine' all He experienced on our account but rather we bring His broken body and His shed blood into our lives right now, in this very moment. We remember and in this remembering we receive in the present moment all the effects of the covenant; in this now moment we rejoice in our redemption achieved, that the burden of sin and guilt has been removed from us, and we are now declared to be the righteousness of God in Christ. We glory in our deliverance from the kingdom of darkness and in the eternal life that is ours. All the terms, promises, and blessings of the Covenant are here and now in this present moment and are released to us by the Holy Spirit in this meal of remembering.
We receive the salvations, the healings that are coming for the day ahead. You know we need not worry about whether our words will be good enough because it is His job to bring revelation and so the most faltering words of revelation the Holy Spirit will use to bring LIFE.
The rally this morning was at Chang Kapoy Village, Wat Kor Commune, Battambang District, Battambang Province. Present were one hundred and forty adults and seventy-eight children. Jesus gathered one hundred and twenty-five adults and fifty-three children into His Kingdom. Praise the Lord. Thank you God. Many came forward for healing and the Lord was present in mighty power to heal. Food packages had been prepared for forty children only and for the adults. The pastor who arranged the food was concerned but Samnang (my brother) encouraged her to receive the blessing of the Lord. Everyone got a food parcel and there were some left over! My team from Australia stepped up to the plate of the Lord and I rejoiced to see them minister in and through the giftings with which the Lord has blessed them.
After lunch we travelled again, this time to Chrab Krosang Village, Wat Kor Commune, Battambang District, Battambang Province to again share the love of Christ in word and deed. Gathered are two hundred and seventy people including one hundred and thirty two children. We shared Jesus and He began the restoration journey beginning with their salvation for one hundred and twenty-six adults and seventy six children. After we prayed with many people for healing by laying on hands and anointing with anointing oil. The Lord was present to heal and He always hears us. Do you remember what Jesus said when He raised Lazarus from the dead? He thanked God, His Father, that He always hears Him and He did it out loud for the benefit of the people watching and then He commanded that Lazarus comes out and so he did. The point is that God always hears us and when we ask we receive. We received the grace of God for healing. He answered.
The last person I prayed with was a young man who had a back problem. He spoke very good English and after he came to me to thank me for coming. He told me he had been a believer in Jesus for quite a long time and had tried to lead his brother and sister to the Lord. He was able to bring both to the rally and he was rejoicing that both his brother and sister received Jesus today.
The people received food and some Bibles. A partner, Transworld Radio, have joined with us to provide Bibles for each rally. A Bible costs $8 US so there is not enough but at least some get Bibles at each rally.
Sadly one of the children when enjoying the little meal was bitten by a dog. The wound was severe and definitely required precautionary medical care and injections. The child was taken to the doctor but he required $70 for the treatment. This was absolutely impossible for the mother. We (WTL) had already given $30 as we thought this would be sufficient but $70 was the fee. I don't wish to embarrass her but it is important to recognise a heart that has long beaten for the ministry to which we are blessed to be called. Without hesitation Katie brought the $40 as an offering to the Lord and a ministry to this precious small life.
How I love that heart!
So we rejoice with the angels over three hundred and eighty precious never-dying souls snatched from darkness into the Kingdom of Light on Friday 28th September 2012.
God bless you all for your support.
God is good all of the time. Yes?
To God be the glory...great things He has done.
We look forward to tomorrow.
Blessings to all.
Our team meets to pray and share the Lord's Supper together. Why do we do that? The Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion or whatever you wish to call it is the covenant meal of the New Covenant. It asks us to remember Him. We don't just try to 'imagine' all He experienced on our account but rather we bring His broken body and His shed blood into our lives right now, in this very moment. We remember and in this remembering we receive in the present moment all the effects of the covenant; in this now moment we rejoice in our redemption achieved, that the burden of sin and guilt has been removed from us, and we are now declared to be the righteousness of God in Christ. We glory in our deliverance from the kingdom of darkness and in the eternal life that is ours. All the terms, promises, and blessings of the Covenant are here and now in this present moment and are released to us by the Holy Spirit in this meal of remembering.
We receive the salvations, the healings that are coming for the day ahead. You know we need not worry about whether our words will be good enough because it is His job to bring revelation and so the most faltering words of revelation the Holy Spirit will use to bring LIFE.
The rally this morning was at Chang Kapoy Village, Wat Kor Commune, Battambang District, Battambang Province. Present were one hundred and forty adults and seventy-eight children. Jesus gathered one hundred and twenty-five adults and fifty-three children into His Kingdom. Praise the Lord. Thank you God. Many came forward for healing and the Lord was present in mighty power to heal. Food packages had been prepared for forty children only and for the adults. The pastor who arranged the food was concerned but Samnang (my brother) encouraged her to receive the blessing of the Lord. Everyone got a food parcel and there were some left over! My team from Australia stepped up to the plate of the Lord and I rejoiced to see them minister in and through the giftings with which the Lord has blessed them.
After lunch we travelled again, this time to Chrab Krosang Village, Wat Kor Commune, Battambang District, Battambang Province to again share the love of Christ in word and deed. Gathered are two hundred and seventy people including one hundred and thirty two children. We shared Jesus and He began the restoration journey beginning with their salvation for one hundred and twenty-six adults and seventy six children. After we prayed with many people for healing by laying on hands and anointing with anointing oil. The Lord was present to heal and He always hears us. Do you remember what Jesus said when He raised Lazarus from the dead? He thanked God, His Father, that He always hears Him and He did it out loud for the benefit of the people watching and then He commanded that Lazarus comes out and so he did. The point is that God always hears us and when we ask we receive. We received the grace of God for healing. He answered.
The last person I prayed with was a young man who had a back problem. He spoke very good English and after he came to me to thank me for coming. He told me he had been a believer in Jesus for quite a long time and had tried to lead his brother and sister to the Lord. He was able to bring both to the rally and he was rejoicing that both his brother and sister received Jesus today.
The people received food and some Bibles. A partner, Transworld Radio, have joined with us to provide Bibles for each rally. A Bible costs $8 US so there is not enough but at least some get Bibles at each rally.
Sadly one of the children when enjoying the little meal was bitten by a dog. The wound was severe and definitely required precautionary medical care and injections. The child was taken to the doctor but he required $70 for the treatment. This was absolutely impossible for the mother. We (WTL) had already given $30 as we thought this would be sufficient but $70 was the fee. I don't wish to embarrass her but it is important to recognise a heart that has long beaten for the ministry to which we are blessed to be called. Without hesitation Katie brought the $40 as an offering to the Lord and a ministry to this precious small life.
How I love that heart!
So we rejoice with the angels over three hundred and eighty precious never-dying souls snatched from darkness into the Kingdom of Light on Friday 28th September 2012.
God bless you all for your support.
God is good all of the time. Yes?
To God be the glory...great things He has done.
We look forward to tomorrow.
Blessings to all.
Cambodia - Thursday 27th September 2012
So what do you call a man with a shovel on his head? Doug. So what do you call a man without a shovel on his head? Douglas. Why did the boy fall off his bike? Because he was hit by a fridge. What did the farmer do when he saw his cow on the roof? He said 'Bruce, come down.' What do you call a blind dinosaur? Do you think he saw us. Umm I don't get the cow one and the fridge one is a bit unclear but I am sharing these with you to indicate that we are back together as a team and Peter is in fine form!
Sadly this morning though we bid farewell to Alyson and Tilly as they returned to Australia. Thank you so much both for agreeing to come and to minister to the women and to the children and to the team here. God bless you.
This morning we left early and headed north. The trip to Pursat is about four hours. The road is quite good, totally different to the road I travelled the first time I came this way. This was my third visit to Pursat Prison. We have been so privileged along with the AFCI team to come to this prison and God is good all the time and the Lord has been so gracious and two-thirds of this prison community is now believing in Jesus. Praise the Lord! It would normally take three months or more to receive approval to visit the prison but God has given us favour because we are His favoured children and so we come and share Him with the prisoners.
We step in through the gates of the prison and find a church where all the congregation is in blue and are lined in regiments of men and some women. Yes we are world's apart in background, colour, culture, circumstance, experience, need, etc. etc. but if you cut us we both would bleed red and as we faced one another we could afirm to them that we are brothers, and sisters, in Christ. I shared a vision with them that I received from the Lord years ago. I have shared this with you before.
You know along our journey there are many blessings...but we don't receive them. Why? We don't see them. We don't see a God who just wants to shower His blessings upon us. Some see a God who expects a lot of work to be done; some see a God who is frowning; some see a God who is distant and requires us to draw near so He will draw near. This is a wrong interpretation. He is always near. We need to open our eyes and see who He really is.
Listen..."The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..." This is just one verse, the Bible is full of them, that tells of His love and grace toward us. It DOES NOT say that the Lord is my Shepherd if I work hard, keep the law, draw near constantly by confessing my sins...he has forgotten our sin and we are free. Free to sin? No! Free to enjoy this universe which He took back from the enemy. Adam gave it to satan, Jesus took it back. Did He do that for Himself? No! He did that for us.
So we are now in Battambang.
Tomorrow two opportunities to share the gift of Jesus. How blessed am I?
Sadly this morning though we bid farewell to Alyson and Tilly as they returned to Australia. Thank you so much both for agreeing to come and to minister to the women and to the children and to the team here. God bless you.
This morning we left early and headed north. The trip to Pursat is about four hours. The road is quite good, totally different to the road I travelled the first time I came this way. This was my third visit to Pursat Prison. We have been so privileged along with the AFCI team to come to this prison and God is good all the time and the Lord has been so gracious and two-thirds of this prison community is now believing in Jesus. Praise the Lord! It would normally take three months or more to receive approval to visit the prison but God has given us favour because we are His favoured children and so we come and share Him with the prisoners.
We step in through the gates of the prison and find a church where all the congregation is in blue and are lined in regiments of men and some women. Yes we are world's apart in background, colour, culture, circumstance, experience, need, etc. etc. but if you cut us we both would bleed red and as we faced one another we could afirm to them that we are brothers, and sisters, in Christ. I shared a vision with them that I received from the Lord years ago. I have shared this with you before.
We are together in glory in the presence of our Lord and Saviour. I always think of that song that we sometimes hear...I can't remember who sings it but you will know...'I can only imagine what it will be when Your face is before me'...So we are together and the voice of our Lord is ringing in our ears declaring "Well done, good and faithful servants!" The Lord affims you all...those that give, those that pray, those that provide, those that connect, those that work, it is no different...there will not be a different class for the ones who go and the ones who provide for those who go. We are all together. As I looked around me I see that we are surrounded by millions of Cambodian people. The Lord says that these are our inheritance...these are your inheritance.So I share this vision with our brothers and sisters in the prison and then encourage them with a word from the Lord. They are seated at the King's table...no matter where they are or the hard place they experience they are seated with Him and He will bring His grace and His blessing.
You know along our journey there are many blessings...but we don't receive them. Why? We don't see them. We don't see a God who just wants to shower His blessings upon us. Some see a God who expects a lot of work to be done; some see a God who is frowning; some see a God who is distant and requires us to draw near so He will draw near. This is a wrong interpretation. He is always near. We need to open our eyes and see who He really is.
Listen..."The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..." This is just one verse, the Bible is full of them, that tells of His love and grace toward us. It DOES NOT say that the Lord is my Shepherd if I work hard, keep the law, draw near constantly by confessing my sins...he has forgotten our sin and we are free. Free to sin? No! Free to enjoy this universe which He took back from the enemy. Adam gave it to satan, Jesus took it back. Did He do that for Himself? No! He did that for us.
So we are now in Battambang.
Tomorrow two opportunities to share the gift of Jesus. How blessed am I?
Cambodia - Wednesday 26th September 2012
Today dawned bright and sunny...beautiful!
We, the Cambodian team and myself, met to receive the Lord's blessing for the day and to take the Lord's Supper together.
After breakfast we headed out over some rough roads to Tra Peang Lbouek Village, Tra Peang Bey Commune, Chhouk District, Kompot Province.
At the prepared place there was a simple sign set up which said "Celebration. Sharing the gospil of Jesus Christ." It was a celebration. The organiser and inviter was a young pastor who has recently graduated from the AFCI facilitated ICPC (Church Planters) course.
Keen to bring honour to our Lord he had gathered one hundred and seventy people waiting to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
It was our privilege to bring the gospel and it was the Lord's privilege to save souls, one hundred and five.
Praise the Lord.
A church will now be planted here and so the discipleship of these news believers begins.
As the people enjoyed their rally meal together we headed for Phnom Penh where I rejoined my Australian team. So good to see them and to hear their joy at the wonderful things they had experienced over the last few days.
Thank you all for blessing this ministry.
We, the Cambodian team and myself, met to receive the Lord's blessing for the day and to take the Lord's Supper together.
After breakfast we headed out over some rough roads to Tra Peang Lbouek Village, Tra Peang Bey Commune, Chhouk District, Kompot Province.
At the prepared place there was a simple sign set up which said "Celebration. Sharing the gospil of Jesus Christ." It was a celebration. The organiser and inviter was a young pastor who has recently graduated from the AFCI facilitated ICPC (Church Planters) course.
Keen to bring honour to our Lord he had gathered one hundred and seventy people waiting to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
It was our privilege to bring the gospel and it was the Lord's privilege to save souls, one hundred and five.
Praise the Lord.
A church will now be planted here and so the discipleship of these news believers begins.
As the people enjoyed their rally meal together we headed for Phnom Penh where I rejoined my Australian team. So good to see them and to hear their joy at the wonderful things they had experienced over the last few days.
Thank you all for blessing this ministry.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Cambodia - Tuesday 25th September 2012
I am thinking...what price would you pay for a soul? I'm unable to answer that question other than to direct you to Jesus. What price did He pay so you, and I, could take our place at His table?
Today has been a wonderful day because little by little I am transformed and today was a transforming day. I cannot write here about this transformation. I'm not sure I can adequately share it with you and I'm not sure you will get it.
Today we were privileged to travel over rough and muddy roads to share the goods news of Jesus in two places. What a delight! Oh how I am thankful that the Lord has given me the privilege to bring His good news to this place.
We met in a beautiful and simple open air church, just a roof and open at all four sides and rejoiced with the little troupe of children as they led us in worship. So beautiful to see those delightful Cambodian faces praising the King of kings.The place was Tra Peang Kokey Village, Lbouek Commune, Chhouk District, Kompot Province. One hundred and eighty-three people, including ninety-eight children gathered, Christian and non-christian. The Lord saved one hundred and four new believers. Praise the Lord. Thank you God.
You know it is when we are 100% weak it is then that He is 100% strong. In the afternoon we went to a place where there has been no Christian witness ever. The pastor from another place who introduced us asked whether anybody had heard of Jesus and maybe five people put up their hand. This place was Mea Village, Ches Commune, Chum Kiri District, Kompot Province. I felt my weakness and the thought was that I had failed. The enemy tried to steal my peace by bringing fear and for a while I was diverted. When our peace is replaced with fear they we are unable to see the blessing and so we fail to bless. Thank God it isn't up to me because Jesus is the Saviour and His favour is on me. I am blessed. I had already received His blessing. There were two hundred and twenty-five people there. How many are now new believers do you think? Yes...two hundred and twenty-five! When we are weak He is so, so strong.
I must share one funny story. When at Tra Peang Kokey this morning after the people had received Jesus we asked them to pray for one thing so that they can see the grace of favour of God revealed in their lives. They have accepted Jesus and in that moment they are seated in the place of blessing to receive. They need do nothing but sit and receive His grace.Today we are in the seventh day. The seventh day is the rest day. So often we call it the day of grace and then rush off and try very hard to be worthy of the grace. This is not grace, this is law. Cast out the law. The law brings death. You have received Jesus. He is LIFE. Jesus is not a little bit death and a little bit life, He is abundant life; total, complete 100% life! So we asked them to pray and we know they prayed for rain to fill their paddy fields. As we left it began to rain. It poured for hours. There was a time when we thought maybe the rally in Mea Village would not be possible. Tonight the pastor who was the organiser of the Tra Peang Kokey rally rang to say that the paddy fields are now full and the people are asking why we were not invited to come three months ago when the rain was really needed. Why did we wait until now to come?
And an encouragement. Sopheap, one of our team received a call from an army commander in the north of the country who had heard that we were coming nearby. He pleaded with Sopheap that we would come and share the gospel at his camp. We will go even though the budget is increased. As we asked at the beginning...what price for a soul. Jesus paid a mighty price, I think we can trust that He will take care of us.
Another encouragement. This trip we are privileged to speak at (now with the adding of the army camp) thirteen rallies. Already twenty more places have asked us to come and today another. Praise the Lord. Thank you Jesus for your favour. We receive You for You are everything. We receive the salvations, we receive the healings, we receive the blessings that You pour upon us. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. You are worthy of praise and we give You all the glory.
Bless you all.
Today has been a wonderful day because little by little I am transformed and today was a transforming day. I cannot write here about this transformation. I'm not sure I can adequately share it with you and I'm not sure you will get it.
Today we were privileged to travel over rough and muddy roads to share the goods news of Jesus in two places. What a delight! Oh how I am thankful that the Lord has given me the privilege to bring His good news to this place.
We met in a beautiful and simple open air church, just a roof and open at all four sides and rejoiced with the little troupe of children as they led us in worship. So beautiful to see those delightful Cambodian faces praising the King of kings.The place was Tra Peang Kokey Village, Lbouek Commune, Chhouk District, Kompot Province. One hundred and eighty-three people, including ninety-eight children gathered, Christian and non-christian. The Lord saved one hundred and four new believers. Praise the Lord. Thank you God.
You know it is when we are 100% weak it is then that He is 100% strong. In the afternoon we went to a place where there has been no Christian witness ever. The pastor from another place who introduced us asked whether anybody had heard of Jesus and maybe five people put up their hand. This place was Mea Village, Ches Commune, Chum Kiri District, Kompot Province. I felt my weakness and the thought was that I had failed. The enemy tried to steal my peace by bringing fear and for a while I was diverted. When our peace is replaced with fear they we are unable to see the blessing and so we fail to bless. Thank God it isn't up to me because Jesus is the Saviour and His favour is on me. I am blessed. I had already received His blessing. There were two hundred and twenty-five people there. How many are now new believers do you think? Yes...two hundred and twenty-five! When we are weak He is so, so strong.
I must share one funny story. When at Tra Peang Kokey this morning after the people had received Jesus we asked them to pray for one thing so that they can see the grace of favour of God revealed in their lives. They have accepted Jesus and in that moment they are seated in the place of blessing to receive. They need do nothing but sit and receive His grace.Today we are in the seventh day. The seventh day is the rest day. So often we call it the day of grace and then rush off and try very hard to be worthy of the grace. This is not grace, this is law. Cast out the law. The law brings death. You have received Jesus. He is LIFE. Jesus is not a little bit death and a little bit life, He is abundant life; total, complete 100% life! So we asked them to pray and we know they prayed for rain to fill their paddy fields. As we left it began to rain. It poured for hours. There was a time when we thought maybe the rally in Mea Village would not be possible. Tonight the pastor who was the organiser of the Tra Peang Kokey rally rang to say that the paddy fields are now full and the people are asking why we were not invited to come three months ago when the rain was really needed. Why did we wait until now to come?
And an encouragement. Sopheap, one of our team received a call from an army commander in the north of the country who had heard that we were coming nearby. He pleaded with Sopheap that we would come and share the gospel at his camp. We will go even though the budget is increased. As we asked at the beginning...what price for a soul. Jesus paid a mighty price, I think we can trust that He will take care of us.
Another encouragement. This trip we are privileged to speak at (now with the adding of the army camp) thirteen rallies. Already twenty more places have asked us to come and today another. Praise the Lord. Thank you Jesus for your favour. We receive You for You are everything. We receive the salvations, we receive the healings, we receive the blessings that You pour upon us. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. You are worthy of praise and we give You all the glory.
Bless you all.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
New Covenant
Can I ask you a personal question? Are you like me and think when you hear those words, "Uh oh, what's coming now? "
The question I am asking is generally directed towards people who believe in Jesus Christ as I guess it is the believers in Jesus who will read this blog.
This blog is entitled 'A Life of Purpose' and I think that believing in Jesus and seeking purpose for one's life tend to go hand in hand. Jesus people and a desire for purpose tend to be connected. That is not to say that if you are reading this and you are not Jesus person that you don't desire to have purpose for your life but for you I'm sorry to say that without Jesus life has very little purpose. Oh yes there are many things that we can pursue to seek purpose in life, career, wealth, fame...I was talking with a teacher only yesterday and she was sharing the observation that children no longer want to be firemen, policemen, teachers etc. etc. etc. When asked many children are more likely to reply that they want to be famous. They are bombarded with the media images of fame and they see the trappings and the trimmings that 'fame' produces and they want it. This is sad if only because seeking fame is going to see a lot of young people frustrated, dissatisfied and hurt. There is nothing wrong with pursuing a career, seeking to improve our situation financially or even to be famous but without Jesus life is empty and without purpose. You don't agree? If you don't agree well then we are going to have to agree to disagree. Without Jesus my life was life without purpose because He is the core, the everything that brings purpose to my life, He is the way, He is the truth, He is the life...that is my testimony.
Anyway the question.
Whether you are a Jesus person or not it is a good if not challenging question...this is it...do you feel like there is something missing? Do you feel a sense of frustration that says to you "Is this all? Am I missing something?" Do you feel a sense of let-down? C'mon be challenged look at your life...is this all there is? Don't you think there has to be something more? Even if you are seeking purpose do you feel that it eluding you?
If you feel that way and you are not a believer in Jesus then this is your opportunity. Jesus is a gift and if I offered you a gift it would only become what it is intended to be if you take it. So take Him. Simply say that you are sorry that you have aligned with the sin of man, independence from God, and that you now accept that Jesus is the only way to God, the only truth and the life that you desire. Confess Him to be Lord and believe in your heart that He is alive and you are saved. At the moment of declaration Jesus will indwell you fully and begin the work of transformation that will begin within you and work its way out as you embrace His grace and love for you.
If you are a believer and you feel as if something is missing then this is the best news that you are ever going to hear. It is likely that you do not realise it but you are under covenant to God. Now covenants are a big deal in the Bible and there are many examples of them.
But before we get to that it may be important for you to know there are a number of 'elements' that are common to all covenants. Those elements are:
This is the gospel. Not just a message that merely demands we accept Jesus to save us from eternal hell-fire but a call to enter into a covenant with the God of glory, unbreakable, unalterable, that only dies with the death of one who cannot die.
It consists of…
Now we need to consider the terms of the New Covenant and these are best represented by comparing the Old Covenant with the New. Old Covenant? This is the covenant given by God with Moses as the representative with terms detailed in Exodus chapter twenty. Most will know the terms of the Old as the Ten Commandments. I am not going to write them out completely but just point out the pertinent phrases; which are:
Verse 3 - 'You shall...'
Verse 4 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 5 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 7 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 8 - 'Remember...'
Verse 10 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 12 - 'Honour your...'
Verse 13 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 14 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 15 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 16 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 17 - 'You shall not...'
Now the terms of the New Covenant which are first recorded prophetically and then quoted in the book of 'better things', Hebrews chapter eight, verses ten to twelve. This is what God says and these are the terms of the New Covenant...
God is merciful and He remembers your sins no more!
Why? How is this possible?
Because Jesus shed His blood and He went in to the holiest place, into the very presence of God and His sacrificial blood was accepted as a once only forever offereing for sin, and having been accepted He sat down at the right hand of His Father.
Meditate upon this and I pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth of it to you.
I will finish this post with this...I know a well meaning man who regularly encourages us to confess our sins and get right with God. Think of this...the blood of bulls and goats was only required to be sprinkled on and before the mercy seat once a year...the blood of Jesus must be of less value than the animal blood if we are weekly required to sprinkle it again by confessing our sins to be right with God. Why do we continually crucify the Son of God when He finished the work once, for all, forever.
The question I am asking is generally directed towards people who believe in Jesus Christ as I guess it is the believers in Jesus who will read this blog.
This blog is entitled 'A Life of Purpose' and I think that believing in Jesus and seeking purpose for one's life tend to go hand in hand. Jesus people and a desire for purpose tend to be connected. That is not to say that if you are reading this and you are not Jesus person that you don't desire to have purpose for your life but for you I'm sorry to say that without Jesus life has very little purpose. Oh yes there are many things that we can pursue to seek purpose in life, career, wealth, fame...I was talking with a teacher only yesterday and she was sharing the observation that children no longer want to be firemen, policemen, teachers etc. etc. etc. When asked many children are more likely to reply that they want to be famous. They are bombarded with the media images of fame and they see the trappings and the trimmings that 'fame' produces and they want it. This is sad if only because seeking fame is going to see a lot of young people frustrated, dissatisfied and hurt. There is nothing wrong with pursuing a career, seeking to improve our situation financially or even to be famous but without Jesus life is empty and without purpose. You don't agree? If you don't agree well then we are going to have to agree to disagree. Without Jesus my life was life without purpose because He is the core, the everything that brings purpose to my life, He is the way, He is the truth, He is the life...that is my testimony.
Anyway the question.
Whether you are a Jesus person or not it is a good if not challenging question...this is it...do you feel like there is something missing? Do you feel a sense of frustration that says to you "Is this all? Am I missing something?" Do you feel a sense of let-down? C'mon be challenged look at your life...is this all there is? Don't you think there has to be something more? Even if you are seeking purpose do you feel that it eluding you?
If you feel that way and you are not a believer in Jesus then this is your opportunity. Jesus is a gift and if I offered you a gift it would only become what it is intended to be if you take it. So take Him. Simply say that you are sorry that you have aligned with the sin of man, independence from God, and that you now accept that Jesus is the only way to God, the only truth and the life that you desire. Confess Him to be Lord and believe in your heart that He is alive and you are saved. At the moment of declaration Jesus will indwell you fully and begin the work of transformation that will begin within you and work its way out as you embrace His grace and love for you.
If you are a believer and you feel as if something is missing then this is the best news that you are ever going to hear. It is likely that you do not realise it but you are under covenant to God. Now covenants are a big deal in the Bible and there are many examples of them.
But before we get to that it may be important for you to know there are a number of 'elements' that are common to all covenants. Those elements are:
- A covenant is a binding obligation. The Hebrew word for covenant is 'berith' which literally means ' to bind or to fetter'.
- When a group of people prepare to enter into a covenant with another party they selected a man from among themselves to represent them. The representative had to be from the same blood and family and those he represented and he gathered those he represented into himself and made the covenant as and for them. He was the guarantor that the terms and promise would be kept. An example is David who went out to Goliath as representative and when he defeated the enemy and hacked off his head the watching Israelites who had spent the last six weeks in their tents rejoiced as they were victorious in and through their representative, David.
- Do not confuse a covenant with a contract. A contract is about the exchange of property, a covenant is about the exchange of people. Contracts can be changed and even cancelled. Not so with a covenant…covenants are only broken by death.
- A covenant is made with an oath which is a solemn affirmation binding oneself to the fulfilment of the words before God. Once made with an oath a covenant is non-negotiable and cannot be altered.
- Every covenant contains the promise and the blessings and they are irrevocable. A covenant existed between David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 20: 14, 15) and Mephibosheth was blessed because of the covenant (2 Samuel 9: 7).
- The making of a covenant always involves the shedding of blood. An animal was slain and its carcass split down the middle and the parties making the covenant walked between the pieces symbolising vividly that they were entering through death and journeying into new life. They also shed their own blood as a symbol of the binding agreement.
- The wounds received by the blood shedding were the seal of the covenant; marks to show that a covenant was made.
- The parties to the covenant were described as friends.
- There was a covenant meal.
- The place of the covenant was a memorial of the two having come together.
- The covenant establishes a new relationship which was unbreakable and binding.
Those are the elements of the
covenant as seen in the covenants of the Old Testament. But as believers in Jesus we are people of the New Testament, more aptly called the New Covenant. You know we often hear the phrase,
said often rather glibly, "It’s not about me it’s about Him." What does it
really mean?
The fact is that we are parties to
the New Covenant in and through our representative Jesus Christ; not bound in us but bound in God who in unconditional love has
called us to participate in the most intimate relationship and unbreakable bond
known among humans or capable of being expressed.
He has called us to a covenant
relationship with Himself, to come into His circle of friendship, bound
together in an intimate union of love.This is the gospel. Not just a message that merely demands we accept Jesus to save us from eternal hell-fire but a call to enter into a covenant with the God of glory, unbreakable, unalterable, that only dies with the death of one who cannot die.
It consists of…
- The oath of God
- The shedding of the blood of God
- And sealed with the Holy Spirit of God sent to make this covenant a reality in the lives of those who surrender their lives to Jesus Christ.
Now we need to consider the terms of the New Covenant and these are best represented by comparing the Old Covenant with the New. Old Covenant? This is the covenant given by God with Moses as the representative with terms detailed in Exodus chapter twenty. Most will know the terms of the Old as the Ten Commandments. I am not going to write them out completely but just point out the pertinent phrases; which are:
Verse 3 - 'You shall...'
Verse 4 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 5 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 7 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 8 - 'Remember...'
Verse 10 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 12 - 'Honour your...'
Verse 13 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 14 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 15 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 16 - 'You shall not...'
Verse 17 - 'You shall not...'
Now the terms of the New Covenant which are first recorded prophetically and then quoted in the book of 'better things', Hebrews chapter eight, verses ten to twelve. This is what God says and these are the terms of the New Covenant...
"FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM UPON THEIR HEARTS. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER SAYING, 'KNOW THE LORD,' FOR ALL SHALL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM. FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE."See the vivid difference? The old was about what we did, the new is totally about what God will do. The under-pinning transforming clause that establishes everything that precedes it is the final term. This is the vital term and if you receive it now it will totally transform you.
God is merciful and He remembers your sins no more!
Why? How is this possible?
Because Jesus shed His blood and He went in to the holiest place, into the very presence of God and His sacrificial blood was accepted as a once only forever offereing for sin, and having been accepted He sat down at the right hand of His Father.
Meditate upon this and I pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth of it to you.
I will finish this post with this...I know a well meaning man who regularly encourages us to confess our sins and get right with God. Think of this...the blood of bulls and goats was only required to be sprinkled on and before the mercy seat once a year...the blood of Jesus must be of less value than the animal blood if we are weekly required to sprinkle it again by confessing our sins to be right with God. Why do we continually crucify the Son of God when He finished the work once, for all, forever.
"...it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins...but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God." Hebrews 10: 4, 12God bless you today with the revelation of Himself.
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