People Get Ready

Curtis Mayfield

People Get Ready

People get ready, there's a train comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
You don't need no ticket you just thank the lord

People get ready, there's a train to Jordan
Picking up passengers coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board them
There's hope for all among those loved the most
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner whom would hurt all mankind
Just to save his own
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there is no hiding place against the kingdoms throne

People get ready there's a train comin'
You don't need no baggage, just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
You don't need no ticket, just thank the lord 

Click here to hear the song 

Piercings and Tattoos.

PIERCING AND TATTOOS

Then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same. (Deut 15:17)

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: 
I am the Lord.
(Lev 19:28)

Then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.(Ex 21:6)

This is not an exhaustive study on the topic but just my understanding of things now.

If you are going into OT and trying to apply certain laws etc..you need to understand things in context and why they did that. Piercings and tatooings in OT carries the meaning of being OWNED by certain gods and masters. Remember the Israelites just came out of Egypt...they did not know much of who this God is..

It was more of clearing ones life of old ways and old believes ...so that God can bless them. God was freeing them from slavery and bondage as those piercings and tattoos were signs of their commitment and worship to the past. Till today, there are certain rituals and practices that people do on their bodies to show allegience to their gods. I suppose that's what it meant then.

If you read 1 Corinthians..you see things like Paul asking ladies to keep quiet and not preach ..only man can preach. Or women must cover themselves with head coverings why leh ? does that mean we all have to do that now ?..If it is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible..then we must be careful on application...Paul was refereing to the need to respect cultures..and cultures is respect. Jesus never destroyed people's way of life..He just love people overflowing till the way of life is influece by Him.

Today, ear piercings for guys..can mean the guy is are or something else. But tattoos are pretty irremovable..so does that mean a new convert with tattoos..cannot be accepted by Jesus ? surely no right..because God sees the heart more. Anyways..the flesh alreayd crucified...

People like to label others as this or that. It is religious people that find differences unaccetable..If there are gays and lesbians in the congregation..or suddenly an unbeliever lights a cigaret in church..will you kick them out ? I won't..I will preach and accept them..let God change them...Get rid of religion brother..Faith is empowering to do the right things.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit = Not an Option.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit = Not an Option.

¹³ And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. (Eph 1:13, NLT)

Some translation like NKJV says everyone that believes in Jesus Christ and has turn their lives over to Him has been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Every Christian has been sealed. This is God's proof of ownership of us, hence we always quote Galatians 2:20...I have been crucified together with Christ. It is no longer I that lives...This is our declaration that our lives have been bought at the cost of the life of God's only Son. 

How do we understand this seal ? God gave me a revelation recently. Suddenly I do understand with clarity. Think of a soda bottle lets say "Coke"...as it is widely popular with everyone. We can identify a coke bottle from lets say other colas..as we have become familiar with its shape and label. This is the seal.

For me, the baptism of the Holy Spirit as in Acts 1:8 to Acts 2 is not an option for every believer. It is an imperative. Tongues is not the issue..but the Baptism is. Baptism is an overflowing...Just like water baptism is..we need to be submerged so that the new life of Christ and overflow us. The Holy Spirit in us is the promise of the Father..and as in John 7:38-39..from our hearts will flow rivers of living water...and this is talking about the Holy Spirit !

In Acts 1:8 - Jesus identifies the Holy Spirit as POWER - Dunamis to be witness of His. The Holy SPirit in filling and the life that comes out of the presence of God in us is like that "Coke" bottle...when empty we know its a coke bottle still but it is useless to Coke the company and us the consumers. 

Just as that empty Coke bottle needs to be filled with that oh so delicious cola that quenches thirst and profits the Coke company...That empty container that is our lives needs to be filled with the Presence of God - That is the Holy Spirit filling us up...That in-filling is not a one-off experience but shud happen as we grow in the Lord and as we ask Him to fill us with fresh anointing. 

When God's Spirit is in you...then you are useful to HIm and useful to others as you are being poured out for the blessings of others. So if you are baptised in the Holy Spirit..go pray for someone..ask God to use you..to speak into your desires..etc..only when that bottle cap is removed and that juice is enjoyed..  then we become useful for God's glory !

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
         You anoint my head with oil;
         My cup runs over (Ps 23:5).

See even in Psalms 23:5, God never blesses and gives by measure..He gives till you overflow ! The Holy Spirit overflowing in us is the resurrection power that raise Christ from the dead (see Romans 8)..and that power of life and creative life is in You..so ask God to baptise you today..

Tongues is the just evidence of His presence in You...So wonderful right..Your faith in Him is rewarded in outward expression of that inward presence of God ! You don't have to wonder if you will ever be saved or going to heaven..speak in tongues..and you know ! WOO HOO !

Luv 

Edwin

Until You have Prayed

Until You have Prayed

Jeremiah 33:3 (New Living Translation)

³ Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. 

Daniel 11:32 (New King James Version)

³² Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

Every exploit and every thing we step out to do, make sure it is covered with prayer. This is the one thing alot of people struggle with as prayer is Spirit and effort and methods are fleshly. However when we pray, mountains are moved and the impossible becomes possible.

This is because we step into our position in CHrist and our hope of glory is in Christ. Its is not that we are weak and incapable..so we hide in prayer. Sure there are people with problems often find solace and refuge in prayer..It is usually the meek not weak that find strength to restrain our fleshly desires and choose to be led God come through for us. They that put their trust in Him, will never be put to shame. Waiting time is not wasted time.

When we pray, we know who He is and those daily encounters with Him shud never be rushed. Don't just end your prayer time just because you have nothing more to say. Linger more and more in God's presence.  

I discovered the importance of prayer and the power it releases when I was a very young Christian. Don't know much about the Bible then...don't even know the right words to say or pray with. I had an excruciating pain on the left side of my face. Initially thought it was a toothache. So went to a dentist to get the tooth out. After X-rays, it was not tooth problem..but infected sinuses. Was given antibiotics and a weeks rest to overcome.

However the pain was terrible..could not sleep at all. I was watching a Christian program on TV..it was a lady called Maralyn Hickey on TV..She shared that she was sick one day and she had to preach. So she prayed every hour in that day..God healed her. So not knowing anything..I "prayed"..ask God to heal me like He did for her. So every hour of the day, I would pray for 15-20 minutes. Later in the evening, I went to pray..Thank God I found a scripture in Psalms 103 to "remind" God of His promises. 

Started by singing a praise song..then felt I needed to put my hands on my cheek. The moment I did that and kept on praying..felt a warm sensation fill my body. When that experience ended, the pain was totally gone ! WOW ! Hallelujah ! That was the start of a great adventure with God. Till today, He has never failed..He is always on time.

Today I am praying for a RM12,000 miracle to pay off all our past dues because of the church work of the past. Need to clear it ..Believing God for it. He will do it ! 

Oh year one more thing...when you don't know what to do or what decision to make...pray until God speaks (Rhema) to you..Don't move on logos (written word) alone. Because whenever we ask God for directions and confirmations..I tell you all kinds of voices will be heard. Suddenly everybody wants to employ you and use you. Don't budge until you hear His voice and have peace in heart. If there are questions in your heart regarding a certain direction..its probably the Holy Spirit telling you to think it thru somemore or stop. Wait ! When God speaks...Rhema..wait for Him to move you and do it for you. (Read Nehemiah 9). Possess the best not the good.

I will share more of this later on !

Pray..and if you can fast too. Prayer is like turning on the tap and revival bursting forth !

Call on His name today !

Luv 

Edwin

Adultery = Sexual Addiction ?

 Adultery = Sexual Addiction ?

²For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

 ³While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

 ⁴But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 

(1 Thess 5:2-4)

I was reading through Genesis especially about Sodom and Gomorrah where things people think Adam was created for Steve and not Eve becomes an accepted norm

..I got a revelation about Jesus coming back...He will come back when the world is at "peace".."peace" where people accept things that are wrong and sinful..where people explain away error..for example..adultery as sexual addiction as if its like drinking alcohol.."peace"..when everybody thinks ..the antichrist is in control..

The antichrist would come when the World is in trouble  (Tribulation) and need peace..seemingly he will come portraying himself like Christ..but IS NOT..but somehow able to bring "peace" ...and like the thief of the night..Just when people think all is "ok"..people living in so called peace where obscure is accepted and sin justified....then

Jesus comes back ! then its too late...All this developments of late of Tiger and others..and the seemingly easiness of people to let go and "understand" or even in our country recently..a politician who was caught in adultery ..is voted as leader of the party..Jesus is coming back.

Troubling but Expecting.

Marketplace Evangelism

^{MARKETPLACE EVANGELISM}

¹³for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

 ¹⁴How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Rom 10:13-15)

I always believe that the best thing to invest in is not buildings, or business etc. It is the people that God has entrusted to us. Isaiah 60, tells us to lift-up our eyes...for the people God has for you, is there. It is therefore our responsibility to care and disciple them.

"Lift up your eyes and look about you:
       All assemble and come to you;
       your sons come from afar,
       and your daughters are carried on the arm. (Is 60:4)

We must never disciple and minister to control or to pay your Church maintenance and workers salaries. If this happens, we will fear and tremble when people leave. Churches always goes through renewal and transitions...God cuts and prunes (John 15). We must preach, teach and disciple to see people empowered and become effective in standing in God through everything that pertains to life. When they succeed and grow in faith, then that's the joy of our ministry. 

Marketplace evangelism is not about making money or growing businesses..eventhough the wealth of the unrighteous will be given to us..this kind on greed breeds patronizing and "superior than thou" attitudes in us. We end up gobbling and trempling on people in order to get. We must understand that God's promises is up to Him and His methods to bring it to past. Integrity must be maintained as we wait on God. 

At the end of the day, being relevant in the Marketplace is not even becoming like the World. God called us to love (Agape) the World ...without condition..and not love (phileo) (See 1 john) demandingly..Why this so important ? It is because when we become the  Salt and Light...not too salty and not too bright...not too little salt and not too dim..Just right...We stand out and become relevant because God has put in us things that the World has not !..He has given us TRUTH ABSOLUTE and builds in us .Faith, Hope and Love...thru it all He has given us Peace ! To do all this He has given us the Holy SPirit to give us the POWER to be His Sons and Daughters..not just converts partaking at His grace..but SOns and Daughters enjoying His presence !

This the World has not..and wants ! How ? WE MUST PREACH THE GOSPEL..Care Yes..love Yes..but they won't know until we share with them the Hope that is in us. Do everything, live our lives..but in it all make it a pulpit to share the Gospel that saves !...

I see cafes being started...all kinds of business and entrepreneural endeavours being undertaken..good and all..WE MUST HAVE SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE NEED AND WANT..or else it will just be another cafe..another private school..another this and that..SHINE ! FOR HIM ...

That's why I believe in investing in people first..and building a core of leaders in Word of Life that believe and most importantly have a great relationship basking in the presence of God (John 15:1-5) When people excel, and grow in revelation..than whatever we do to reach the lost..becomes second nature....

So You Would Come (Hillsong).

Happy Easter !

Luv
Edwin.