2019 – A year of conflict, yet great overcoming

The sense I have for the next year is that many things will appear to get worse, especially in national and governmental realms. Christians in the west will end up in gaol for the faith, an idea unheard of until recently. As believers stand for their faith, preaching Christ and the word boldly.

The political landscape will appear to be a moral and ethical bloodbath as people generally keep heading away from God and his righteousness.  Sounds terrible doesn’t it?  Yet in this we (the Church) will rise up glorious as the Lord brings His life and salvation to anyone who will listen.  Continue reading “2019 – A year of conflict, yet great overcoming”

Releasing the Aaronic Blessing – Part 2

At last we get to part 2 (it has been a while) of releasing the Lord’s blessing and we will unpack the next verse. ‘The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you’ (Numbers 6:25).  Refer to Releasing the Aaronic Blessing – part 1 for verse 24.

Here is the mechanical translation of verse 25.

He~will~make~LIGHT(Verb) (יָאֵר / ya’eyr) YHWH (יְהוָה / YHWH) FACE~s~him (פָּנָיו / pa’naw) TO~you(ms) (אֵלֶיךָ / ey’ley’kha) and~he~will~PROVIDE.PROTECTION(Verb)~you(ms) (וִיחֻנֶּךָּ / wi’hhu’ne’ka)

YHWH will make his face shine toward you and he will provide you with protection.

The Hebrew word for face is paniym ( פָּנִים ). The word paniym appears several times in the Old Testament in combination with God or the Lord. In most cases, the face of the Lord is a reference to God’s presence. For instance, when Moses asked God to assure him that he, God, would go with the people to the land of Canaan, God told Moses: ‘My face shall go before thee’ (Exodus 33:14 DRA). Most modern translations use the word ‘presence’ to translate the Hebrew word for face, but face is so much more than just His presence. Continue reading “Releasing the Aaronic Blessing – Part 2”

My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts

Isaiah 55:1-13 is an incredible passage of scripture.

God reveals a powerful truth in Isaiah 55:8-9.  First, that his thoughts and ways are very different to ours.   Secondly that his thoughts and ways are higher than ours.

How does this work?
We find the answer in all the previous verses of the chapter.  In all that God has promised in free forgiveness and grace, and what he has offered in blessing and love, which is all far beyond our human understanding and experience. Continue reading “My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts”

The Lord’s Army

This morning I had a very vivid vision:

I saw a long line of people standing side by side, shoulder to shoulder, dressed in white but also wearing armour, each holding a large sword.
I then saw the faces and I recognised many of these people being members of our home group, local congregations, and others from the prayer houses etc.
Each looked strong and carried a look of love and joy, faces shining with God’s glory. Continue reading “The Lord’s Army”

Where is your Elisha? Find your spiritual children

Find your spiritual children

In the well known chapter 1 Kings 19  we find the account of what happened after fire fell on Mt Carmel in chapter 18.  After calling down fire and seeing God’s power demonstrated Elijah ( אֵלִיָּה meaning my God is Jehovah) started complain to the Lord as Jezebel was after him (1 Kings 19:14).

The Lord then told Elijah to get up and go v15-16 and anoint a couple of Kings (as you do) and also call Elisha  ( אֱלִישָׁע meaning God is salvation) as his successor.  The Lord also told Elijah in v18 that he was not alone as there were 7,000 who had not compromised and bowed to Baal. Continue reading “Where is your Elisha? Find your spiritual children”

One Unit – A force for the Kingdom

A couple of weeks ago Nel sent me a mechanical translation of Deuteronomy 6:4 via Jeff A Benner (Ancient Hebrew Research Centre).  In part this was related to my study of the Trinity in the Old Testament for the purpose of sharing with both Jews and Muslims who believe Christians have three Gods (we have one God; in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

Continue reading “One Unit – A force for the Kingdom”

2018 – A year of return and restoration

This post is what is on my heart from the Lord for 2018.

First, 2018 be a year for return and restoration

People that have be away or distant will be drawn back to the Lord and will return to their true calling and purpose. The hearts of the fathers being turned to the children and children to the fathers. The outworking of return will be restoration of relationships in right order before the Lord. Continue reading “2018 – A year of return and restoration”