Sticks & Stones

Ephesians 4v32 And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. 

 ”sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me”.

I never really thought about it before but that sentence is not true.

Sticks and stones will break your bones and words can scar you for life.

 

Words scar when the correct healing process does not take place.

 

To heal without a scar you need to forgive.

Forgiveness is not only imperative but the only option if you want freedom from the pain & hurt.

 

Un-forgiveness is actually more destructive to you than the other person you are choosing not to forgive.

 

Un-forgiveness leads to bitterness, anger, hatred and reduces the amount Christ can shine through you.

 

Un-forgiveness is where your spirit gets stuck in a state of pain in which it cannot eradicate itself.

 

 

It is in this place where we truly see the power of the cross at work.

 

In our Natural He does the supernatural 

In our weakness He shows his strength

 

We cannot love without forgiveness

and we cannot forgive without love

 

God is Love so if you are struggling with Un-forgiveness 

focus on Him and allow His Holy Spirit to bring transformation.

 

Forgiveness is not an occasional act it is a permanent attitude. Martin Luther King

 

Bieber Fever

Romans 1v 16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.

 

The other day I was parked outside the Royal Gardens hotel in central London. As I came out of Starbucks eager to devour my skinny lemon muffin I was distracted by a swam of screaming teenage girls. Now When I say screaming I mean shouting, crying, laughing, hugging, jumping and hyperventilating. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions all for one human being. Justin Beiber.

 

Yes Justin was staying in the hotel and ‘beiber fever’ was spreading! It was contagious. I even wanted to join in the action but my muffin still had not been touched and what can I say, food always comes first.

 

I saw a glimpse of what it would have been like when Jesus was alive.  Thousands of followers all wanting to touch Him. Jesus even had to preaching from a boat because the crowd was so many.

 

I noticed that the teenagers did not care one bit what people thought of them. They didn’t care about looking cool. They were unashamed and undignified. All because they were trying to pursue the love of their love, Justin Bieber.

 

So what does it means to be unashamed of Christ? Well it does not mean that you have to scream and shout or even cry every time He is mentioned. It does not mean that you have to make a scene driven by hype and emotion like the bieber fans.

 

I think it means that you don’t care what other people say or think you just live your life representing Christ no matter what the cost.

 

Football fans never stop talking about how good their team is because their love for their team is more important than what you or I think.

 

When you fall deeply and madly in love with Christ being unashamed becomes second nature.

 

It is not a choice or a decision it is a natural outcome and fruit of being completely sold out for Christ.

 

Don’t try and force yourself to speak more about Him,

 Just engage more with Him and you will find out of the heart the mouth speaks.

  

Question: am I unashamed about Christ? 

CHARACTER

Romans 5v 3 we can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us-they help us learn to endure.

 

This week in my staff meeting the subject was Character.  Character is not really talked about much these days. When you look at the celebrities we admire and aspire to be like they don’t exactly ooze good character.

 

By character I mean the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. You can have good moral qualities and a lack of moral qualities. Good character consists of trust, loyalty, respect and honor.

 

If I can quote Gary Clarke Pastor of Hillsong London

“If character was a currency this generation would be flat broke”

 

It is starting to be revealed that employers are actually now looking for a lot more that qualifications and skills. They want honest staff,

They want staff with good character.

 

The opposite of character is corruption.

When we don’t focus on character corruption sets in.

Corruption is dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power.

The action of making someone or something morally depraved or the state of being so.

 

If we were asked we would think we are not corrupt but if character was one end of the scale and corruption was the other we would all sit in-between somewhere.

 

100% CHARACTER————————————-100% CORUPTION

 

Corruption can be hidden and infiltrates even the small areas of life. For example:

 

When you are asked to review your work is it exaggerated to make you look better? If it is not truth it is corrupt.

 

When two people have messed up and they both pass the blame and drop names to make themselves look that little bit better. If its not truth it is corrupt.

 

A great atmosphere comes from a great attitude.

A great attitude comes from great character.

 

So what is the key to character?

 

As it says in Romans through endurance our character develops.

 

When good times come, just keep going.

When hard times come, just keep going.

When the unexpected and unpredictable comes, just keep going.

 

Maggie thatcher once said: “From your thoughts come your actions, from your actions come your habits, from your habits come your character and from your character comes your destiny.”

 

It starts with your thoughts. Focus your thoughts on Christ, on Christ being your strength.

 

Endurance is a lot easier when you know you are enduring with Him.

 

He can turn all things into good.

 

Question: What is your focus?

A Beautiful Exchange

In Genesis 1v31 it says, “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good”.

 The world was perfect, as it should be. Wholeness, beauty, glory and honour.

No wars, no tears, no disease, no famine, no loss, no morning, no death no funerals, no police, no jail, no soldiers. No need, it was Paradise.

However God gave Humanity free will, the power to choose. The first Adam chose to sin, which resulted in a spiritual death loosing the divine connection between God and Humanity. Immediately Adam and eve were aware that the nature of God had departed as they stood there in shame and nakedness. Trying to cover up, pass the blame and justify themselves.

The middle letter of SIN is ‘I’

Sin is about ourselves, sin is selfishness, self pleasing, self gratification and self worship. Sin is abuse, hatred, pride, missing the mark and idolatry. Sin is death, suffering, injustice, pain and tragedy. Sin is misery, grief and despair. Sin is rebellion against God.

God cannot dwell where there is sin.

Therefore Sin = separation.

Sin entered and at the core there was a disconnect.

The separation is very clear mankind is cut off from God. The episode in the Garden of Eden makes it clear that humanity took itself away from God, not the other way around. God did not change, He was and is still the loving Father desperate for relationship with His children only separated, barricaded and divided by a wall of sin.

As a result we, you and me are born into a state of sin. The first Adam failed the test, and in doing so involved all humanity in his defeat, dragging the human race down with him. Leaving us with a broken and imperfect world. A world which faces poverty and famine, war and destruction.

We are all connected with the first Adam, The natural and legal head of the human race. We stand as depraved and guilty sinners, and so are included in the sentence of death.

In Adam we all stand condemned, spiritually bankrupt, enslaved to sin, and expelled from Paradise.

The same thing that separates us from God now

separates us from each other.

The world needed a rescue plan

Humanity needed a saviour

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3v16 & 17

The Easter message is one of victory.

One which made History

The brutal death of Jesus

Was in fact a beautiful exchange

The wall has now been demolished and we can have a personal relationship with our Father, our creator our personal saviour.

The slate has been wiped clean. The future is secure.

We are saved by His work on the cross,

His death and resurrection

His love.

We are saved by His Grace.

G O D  I S  L O V E

 

Baptism?

Ephesians 4v5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

 

A little boy was asked in kids church to explain baptism.

He said, “It’s when the preacher holds you under water and you think about Jesus!”

 

Truth is that these days a lot of people don’t really know what baptism is about. Some people think it is like a dessert after the main course, an added extra if you like.

When you look through the bible Baptism is actually something Jesus commands. Jesus was baptized and it signifies the passing of the old and embracing the new. Going under water and coming up signifies Jesus death and resurrection.

 

Baptism went had in had with salvation. It would have been odd to give your life to Christ and not get baptized.

It is not a recommendation it is a public declaration of the transformation that has taken place.

Baptism is an external expression of an internal change.

 

To be a Navy seal there is apparently one final initiation where they hold you underwater under till you pass out. Then they give you mouth to mouth and bring you back to life.

Then you have made it, A Navy seal.

Baptism is a bit similar. You won’t be held under water so you can’t breath but you do die to your self. You die to your own selfish ambitions. Baptism signifies the new you.

With a new nature and future.

Unashamed and going for it.

Set apart for the cause of Christ.

The same kid from before asked a pastor

“when do I get advertised?”

The pastor said “I think you mean baptized but you hit the nail on the head you are advertising you follow Jesus.”

 

Baptism is you going all in. It’s your chance to

Tell the world you follow Him.

V IS FOR VICTORY

‘The good news isn’t that God is victorious. How can he not be victorious? The good news is that we can be victorious too.’

When we worship we are singing songs of celebrations, songs of victory.

The battle has already been won.

THE PROBLEM INFRONT OF US IS NEVER AS BIG AS THE POWER INSIDE US

Jesus had victory on the cross so that every day we can have victory.

Victory in every situation:

Health, finance, friendships, relationships, temptation and employment.

2012 can be your best year yet. It has nothing to do with what problems you face but everything to do with how much you will trust God.

David was Victorious in battle but we went through the process before.

Don’t expect to beat your problem if you are not willing to go through the process.

Lets look at the build up to David’s Victory.

Samuel 16v 7 But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.” MSG

As you look through the Bible you find that God does not choose the best of the best or the most gifted.

He chooses people based on their heart.

Moses ran from justice, Jonah ran from God, Rahab ran a brothel, Sampson ran to the wrong woman, Jacob ran in circles, Elijah ran into the mountains, Sarah ran out of hope, lot ran with the wrong crowd,

But God used them all.

Being Victorious has nothing to do with skills, gifts or talent. It has everything to do with putting your trust, your heart and your life with Christ.

1 Samuel 16 v 18 One of the young men spoke up, “I know someone. I’ve seen him myself: the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, an excellent musician. He’s also courageous, of age, well-spoken, and good-looking. And God is with him.”

David had a subtle confidence that he new who he was in God. People could see God was with him

When you know who you are in Christ people can see God is with you!

You cannot be victorious for Christ if you do not know who you are in Christ.

Do you see yourself the way God does?

You were born an original so don’t die a copy.

Don’t try to be more that what you are. Just be good at what you are.

When your security is in Christ you don’t live to impress, live to impact.

When you build your Identity in Christ you build on an unshakable platform

So how do you build your identity in Christ?

“From your thoughts come your actions

From your actions come your habits

From your habits come your character

From your character comes your Destiny”

Margret Thatcher

If you want to be In Christ just spend some time with Christ

When you build your identity in Christ you don’t care about the words of man because you know the word of your maker

1 Samuel 17v34 David said, “I’ve been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I’d go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I’d grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I’ll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine.”

David knew he could win the public battle because he had won the private battle

What Is your public battle? Your fight when no one is watching?

We can be great at public emotion but is there any private devotion?

He knew he could be victorious with everyone watching because he has been victorious when no one was watching.

1 Samuel 17v48 That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine.

Your words are your running away or running towards your giant.

How you talk about your battle shows more about you than it does about your situation.

Do you speak to your giant or does he speak to you?

No one else discusses God. David discusses no on but God

Don’t go around talking about how big your problem is,

talk about how big your God is.

Don’t get overwhelmed by your Giant get overwhelmed by your God.

TRUST IN HIM

God doesn’t always say how you are going to

get through it but he does say

trust me!

Jesus was a king that led us into battle like David.

A king that was willing to give his life for his people.

Jesus means: He saves.

V IS FOR VICTORY

Journal?

What image springs to your mind when you read the word ‘journaling’?

Maybe a teenager writing down his or her thoughts about their latest relationship. A daily diary of the ups and downs, highs and lows of life.

 In my mind I had journaling down as something to do if you had spare time, something if you are creative and like writing.

That was because I didn’t really know what journaling was.

 Definition: A daily record of news or events of a personal nature.

Journaling is personal.

To me Journaling is writing my thoughts about the passage I read during my morning devotion. I have a wide margin bible so I scribble my thoughts there or in my notebook.

If you want to do a quick thought for your Journal try this: S.O.A.P

Scripture. Read a passage or verse from the bible.

Observation. What stands out in that verse to you?

Application. How could you apply that to your life?

Prayer. Say or write a prayer in relation to what you read.

It is not about how well you write or how profound your thought is.

It is about a personal journal, which expresses thoughts from a personal relationship with Jesus.

It is quite common to forget what you hear spoken from the platform but when you read the word yourself, write about how you can apply it and make it a habit you walk the word and live the word. You might not remember what the preacher said but if you live it out that is more important.

VELOCITY VISION VIDEO 2012

Shepherd?

Romans 8v28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

The dictionary describes a shepherd as an individual who will guide, direct or watch over.

God’s purpose is that we are all shepherds. We are all on earth to support the lost, guide the lost, help the lost, look out for the lost and go after the lost.

Through you ‘a’ shepherd they can see ‘The’ shepherd.

The very first shepherd was Abel. Abraham and Moses were shepherds. King David was the best-known shepherd of Bible history.

Shepherds were the first people to see the newborn Jesus Christ.

Shepherds are servants, shepherds are committed, shepherds are loyal, shepherds are focused and shepherds would lay down their life for just one of their flock.

There is a commonly held belief that shepherds in Bible times would break the legs of lambs that constantly wandered away.

The shepherd will then bind up the broken leg; carry the sheep upon his shoulders and hand feed the sheep. In this way the sheep learns dependence and trust in the shepherd and learns to respond to his voice.

Now I am clearly not saying God inflicts pain! A loving Father would never do that to His own son or daughter. What I am saying is that God can use all things to work together for good. He can take a bad financial situation, dysfunctional relationship or family breakdown and turn it around. Through that process He allows the individual to recognize His voice again while being carried on His shoulders. In our weakness He is our strength.

Sometimes people wander so far from God they get into situations where they ask themselves “how did I get myself into this mess” Where is God now when I need him?

This is where you step in. The loyal shepherd who has been a friend no matter what the individual chose to do.

The shepherd who did not judge but loved.

The shepherd who cared more about the person than the problem.

The shepherd who went after the one.

Attractive?

Acts 4v32 All the believers were of one heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own; they shared everything they had.

 

This is the book in the bible where the church started. The church took form, the church grew, the church was like nothing that had ever been before.

 

The church was attractive and people were joining. The church was growing naturally, organically because of the raw transformation in the people.

 

The people had one heart and one mind. That was the heart and mind of Jesus, the heart and mind that focused on others. The heart and mind that resulted in sharing their homes and belongings with others.

 

One thing I notice in this passage is that they don’t actually go out looking for people.

People came to them.

People saw the authentic community and they want to join.

 

I am all for outreach. I am all for reaching the lost and the poor. I am all for going after the ‘one’. However the truth is that when we mimic, copy, reflect the heart and mind of Jesus people are attracted.

 

As we come to an end of this months focus ‘the one’ I encourage you to focus on your own personal walk with Christ. Your own personal journey of transformation.

 

As you become more like Christ your community can see more of Christ.

 

Your actions demonstrate Faith, Hope and Love.

 

You are Jesus with skin on and sometimes the only glimpse of Jesus people will see.

 

True attractiveness is not how good looking you are,

 It is how good Jesus is looking in your life