Blogs of Encouragement

Blogs of wisdom from ministers designed to encourage your walk of faith 

 

What's in your mouth???

"...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Matthew 12:34 KJV

 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”  Proverbs 18:21 KJV

What are we filling our mouths with? Are we  speaking hope and life? Or are we speaking despair and death? There is a saying we used to say as kids. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me.” How untrue a statement. In fact words can harm you far worse than sticks and stones. Your words carry the power to deliver you from whatever situation you are facing or it can bring about physical death depending on what you are speaking and believing. I have heard many times of people that have died at a young age or at a certain age, and the result was what that person had said during their lifetime. Things such as “I will never live past such and such an age” or “my parent died from this and so this is what my future is.”  Sadly when we are doing this we are cutting short our potential and the fullness of life that God has promised us. It’s not God Who didn’t hold up His side of the promise but it is our side.It doesn’t even have to be anything major as death. It could also be speaking ourselves into financial difficulty or bad relationships, to name a few. It is important as well to see ourselves the way that God sees us because how you see yourself is how the enemy sees you. In Numbers 13:33 the spies said to Moses and the congregation of Israel “And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” If you are seeing yourself or your situation in a good light or in a bad one, it will show in your speech and in your actions. The Bible is full of different verses that show us who we are and the promises that God has given us. Let us declare these verses over ourselves, our families and our situations and see ourselves through God’s eyes. Let us pray and ask God to place a guard over our mouths and to keep watch over the door of our lips (Psalm 14!:3). We are so precious to Him and as children of the living God, we have a hope and a future. God works all things out for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Many blessings to you.
Catherine Gray

 

 

 

Numbers 21 v17

There is a song that goes with at verse. 

 

Spring up O well

Within my soul.

Spring up O well and make me whole.

Spring up O well 

And give to me

This Life Abundantly

I grew up in a village bordering the 

countryside.

As children we'd walk the very hot July country road till we came to a big green pump at the roadside.

It took 2 of us to pull the long handle down and push it up. Cries of " Do it again " Slowly down and up...down and up. We were tired, hot and thirsty.

If we gave up, we'd say. ' It's not working. It must be broken". And we'd stay thirsty. 

The following year we were older stronger and more determined.

A very hot August afternoon and we kept going pumping the handle down and up. Priming the pump

Suddenly we were rewarded with gushes of icy cold , refreshing water splashing all over our sandals. We drank our fill.

Praise is like like priming a pump of Heavenly Refreshment. Keep going. Keep praising our Wonderful God and times of refreshing are guaranteed. Join with your brothers and sisters and praise Him until His Glory comes.

 

Pst. Marian Monds 10/8/24

 

Therefor !  - 15/7/24

The title of this blog is THEREFORE,In Ephesians 6 v10 to 18 we see Paul wrote in verse 13 when the evil day comes not if the evil day comes or it might  come BUT WHEN it comes and the evil day comes and the evil day may be a sickness,money problems,death of a loved one or relationship issues.

Paul didn't say God sent it,he mentioned the devil's schemes cause evil days on earth,that's our first THEREFORE and it's an instruction for us to do,a set of instructions for us to put into action,we are not to pray and ask God to do what God instructs us to do,of course the power and breakthroughs come from God,but so many of God's children ask God to do our part.

In Matthew 7 verse 24 to 27 we see Jesus say THEREFORE whoever hears My Words and does them is like a person building on rock ,then Jesus also says those who ALSO hear but do not do, are like people who build their house on sand .

Jesus tells us the same wind and rain comes against both houses,and we believers often face the  same issues that non believers face,but the life built on the rock survived the same storm,but the storm  destroyed the house built on sand.

Sand looks like rock until we test it and build on it,ideas apart from Gods'' Word a spiritual sand in our life ,I suppose sand was once rock but has no strength on its own.

Our final THEREFORE is found in Mark's Gospel chapter 11 verse 24 where again Jesus said whatever you ask for in prayer believe you have received it and it will be yours,Jesus was saying once you ask in accordance with God's Word ,you will get it.

That's the faith Jesus told us to have ,when we read Mark 11 verses 22 to 25 we see Jesus tell us how to do it.

We say,we believe,we don't doubt,we forgive anyone we hold unforgiveness against.

The word THEREFORE means in Greek "this is how it works".

So whatever things come against us,find scriptures that cover that issue,read them and listen to them,this causes faith to come,then ask and pray based on scriptural promises and we can stand when the evil day comes.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

PASTOR DIARMUID BROSNAN. 

 

What are you putting on?  17/6/24

The Bible in Colossians 3 strongly encourages believers in Christ to take off certain sinful traits and in their place put on Christ-like traits. The terminology of putting off and putting on as used in Colossians 3 can be likened to the act of taking off a piece of clothing and putting on another piece of clothing. Believers must take off all sinful traits and replace them with Christ centred traits in order to have a positive impact upon the world.

 

The text in Colossians 3:8-9 specifically instructs believers to get rid of anger, wrath, malicious behaviour, blasphemy, dirty language and lying. Believers must instead put on the following traits: tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility and patience (Colossians 3:12). These Christ centred traits must all be underpinned by love (Colossians 3:14) which is the central trait that holds everything else together.

 

At this stage, one might wonder why what a believer puts on is crucial? Isn’t God just looking at the heart and not what someone is putting on? A careful analysis of the traits which a believer is expected to put on as highlighted in Colossians 3:8,9,12, 14 makes it so clear that what one is putting on either hinders or promotes their relationships with those around them. Only those believers who choose to put on tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love are equipped to do the following: bear with others and overlook their faults, forgive when wronged, leave peaceably with others whilst always being thankful (Colossians 3:13,15).

 

On the other hand, those who call themselves believers in Christ whilst still harbouring anger, wrath, malicious behaviour, blasphemy, dirty language and lying cannot expect to have fruitful relationships with those around them. This in turn hinders such individuals from shining their light to the world! The Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:16 said “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” For a believer to shine their light effectively and have a positive impact upon the world, they must first take off any sinful traits in them and put on Christ centred traits!

 

As we pray and believe God for revival in our days, we must diligently obey the word of God and take off those sinful traits in our lives and replace them with Christ centred traits. We need to eradicate everything and anything that does not please God in our lives and substitute them with things which are pleasing and acceptable to God. We need the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23) to manifest daily in our lives and equip us to impactfully shine our light to the world and see multitudes added to the kingdom of God for the glory of God. I urge you to pray and ask for the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit in your life, in ways that you have not seen before!

 

Brother Admire Dzingwa

Bible references are taken from the New King James (NKJ) Version as well as the New Living Translation (NLT).

 

What is shaking In Your LIfe ?   12/6/24

/Acts 16: 16-40

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken, 

and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bonds were loosed.

 

Have you ever done the right thing, and the wrong results appeared  as a result of it?  Or you've done something, and you were misunderstood and misjudged because of how it looked to others round about you? Or you were just minding your own business and getting on with things, and because of what someone else did, whom you were around, you suffer negative consequences? This is where Paul and Silas found themselves. Here they were just preaching the gospel as Jesus commanded in Mark 16:15-20 and they encountered a girl who, it seemed, was helping them. They however, discerned that it was a demonic spirit that was wanting to draw the attention of those in authority to them in order to cause them difficulty, and Paul cast it out. Silas didn't do anything! He was just there preaching, and Paul cast it out. Her masters were very upset because their fortune-teller was gone and took Paul and Silas to the magistrates with the charge of causing rebellion against Rome. The outcome? Their clothes were stripped and they were beaten with "many stripes" and thrown into prison. The jailor, having been instructed to make sure they were secure, cast them into the inner prison, and put their feet in stocks. So here they are, not just in trouble, but even put in deeper into the inner prison, more secured just in case they escape.  And at the darkest hour of the day, midnight, they prayed and sang praises unto God! Hallelujah! And the prisoners heard them! Others in the same situations of difficulty and confinement were listening to them. And now we see breakthrough. Praise God!

 

Are you singing and praising when the night is at its darkest?  We are all challenged when we read this Scripture. Isn't it interesting that the suddenly, brought a completely new set of circumstances that were not ideal? The Word says suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken! If you've ever experienced an earthquake, you would say it's scary when everything around you starts shaking, even the ground you're standing on! If the foundations were shaken, things must've been falling round about them! The physical prison walls and gates must've been moving as if to crush them. Have you ever thought about that part?  Let's say, If one were to move a table full of things slowly, chances are, whatever's sitting on it would stay more or less in their place regardless of the distance that the table has been moved. If however, one were to move the table very fast, it's almost guaranteed that most of what is on the table, if not everything, will fall over and be all over the place. Perhaps even falling off the table! The process was unpleasant, but the result at the end was complete freedom!

 

We are in a season of SUDDENLIES! But with suddenlies come much shaking when God's power dislodges some things! Today I want to encourage you. You may have found yourself in adverse circumstances even though you were doing the right thing. Then everything started to go wrong and you ended up stuck in a place you couldn't seem to get out of. It went from bad to worse. You went to prayer. Then praise. And then your whole world started falling apart. You started to despair even for your life, because you didn't realise what was happening. You see, it started off as persecution for the Word's sake, but then God got involved when you praised, but you interpreted God's part as the work of the enemy, not realising that the shaking was due to God's power going to work on your behalf. The boss really just turned on you big time, or your family disowned you, or your finances dried up and there seemed to be no way out and all the while you have been saying: Lord, what happened? What have I done wrong? I don't get it. I've done everything you told me to do! Notice that they came out unharmed! God wants to shake you out of your confinement! When God turns things around, you will come out on top!

 

Take courage. Just because there's a storm doesn't mean you've done something wrong. God is setting things up to shake you OUT of your confinement! Your challenge is your stepping stone to your promotion! David had to face Goliath to step into his destiny! Goliath was the doorway into what God called David to do. Your biggest giant is your way out! Change your perspective! You see it as a problem. God sees it as your solution! Adopt God's perspective! Just because it seems all hope is gone, doesn't mean it is. God loves you child of God! As you praise, foundations of things that seem to be set in stone, may begin to crumble and you're concerned, but God knows what He's doing! Keep trusting in God's love for you and that He will not fail you! You're about to be promoted! Praise God that while you praise, others who were listening to how YOU deal with the same issue, will be delivered. And they will know that God favoured you! God turns everything for good if we will let Him. Satan can't control you. Your heart posture in trouble is always your choice. Look to Jesus the author and finisher of your faith! He's waiting for you to exalt Him in your situation!

 

Father God, I come to you in the name of Jesus. Father, forgive me for not trusting you. Help me to trust you in the process. To not look at tomorrow but appreciate today. Give me the courage to stand even though everything is shaking and to be bold and open my mouth and praise you regardless of what's happening round about me. Help me to renew my mind so that your perspective becomes my perspective and help me to see myself as you see me. Precious, valuable, loved, child of God, greatly blessed and highly favoured. In Jesus name, Amen

 

By Daphne Gray 

 

Small Beginnings - 27/5/2024

I don't know about you but I hate small. Nobody knows you  , nobody cares , resources are thin on the ground and everything appears overwhelming. 

God doesn't think that way,in fact He just wants us to begin. With God you have every resource you need ! You are already on the winning side, He that gives the vision also provides the provision.

This ministry began from my desk at the corner of a spare bedroom. It seemed impossible, I knew very few people and  where would finance come from ? But I obeyed,  I took a step , kept walking by faith and we are here . What could you do, if you only dared to dream in Him and take Him at His Word ?

He cant fail you , only.begin!  Zechariah 4 v 10 "Don't despise the day of small beginnings because the Lord rejoices to see the Work begin "

God doesn't do failure (Ps 25 v 3)  but we fail ourselves by not starting. Make that call , take that course, apply for that business grant . Don't die with your destiny still in you , you have come this far , too far to quit .

Begin today and watch what God will do.If I waited for everything to be perfect I would still be at that desk today wondering . When you go, He goes . Remember "Greater is He that's in you then he that's in the world".

The greatest tests bring forth the greatest testimonies . We need your story we need you . Take Jesus by the hand and begin walking into that glorious destiny that awaits ! ( Jeremiah 29 v 11)

Apostle Des King 

 

When God Commands A Blessing - Psalm 133 

The importance of solidarity " support by one person or group of believers for another because they share the whole truth of the Word Of God (PS 119 v 89) ..".forever O Lord thy Word is settled in heaven"

Psalm 119 v 91 "They continue this day according to thine ordinances , for all are thy servants".

The workings of solidarity within in the Body Of Christ with Christ as Head needs Christ centered thinking and behavior patterns, as one accord working in conjunction with the emphasis ( special importance) on the unity of the Body Of Christ. Jesus being the cornerstone. ( Phil 2 v 3-11)

The evidence is love and harmony, esteeming thy brother/ sister above thyself. whilst building building each other up in thy holy faith ( Jude 20-21 ). 2 Tim  3v 16 says all scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for t teaching , for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness so that the man of God might be equipped for every good work .

Therefor a teachable spirit is required for the unity of the Body of Christ with 25 references to the benefits and repercussions.

A teachable spirit is one of the most desirable and key character traits for success and blessings in our walk before God and man. David and Solomon emphasized this when we understand the fear of the Lord.  Proverbs 1 v 7 declares this is the beginning of knowledge but it further states that fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

Bernadette Walshe Osborne