The presence of God brings joy We begin our new mini-series today called ‘The Presence of God’ and each day we will think about a different aspect of this. We will cover the following 5 aspects (i-v); i. Why should we want to experience the presence of God?, ii and iii. Practicing the presence of God parts 1 and 2, iv. Blessings in the presence of God In our final part we will discover v. How we can bless others when we are in the presence of God. How much time each day do you spend in God’s presence? Or is it how much time do we spend being aware that God is present. Sometimes we get so busy with our lives, that whenever we do remember God, we feel guilty that in a sense we have been away. But is it possible to lead a life of being continually aware of being in the presence of God? Sometimes we can be so aware of God when we pray, when we praise and worship, when we study our bibles and when the Holy Spirit is moving at our meetings. But what about the rest of the time which for most of us is the largest part of our day. I once read a small book called ‘The practice of the presence of God’ written three hundred years ago by a monk called Brother Lawrence. In this book it is described how Brother Lawrence was able to cultivate a continual awareness of the Lord being present in his life thus bringing great joy. But you might say that is fine for him being a full time monk with nothing else to do; no work to go to, no ironing or chores. But in actual fact, he was the cook for the monastery and he believed it was easier to be aware of God’s presence when doing his kitchen chores than at any other time! So the challenge for us is to invite God into our lives, into our chores, our busy times and quiet times. Why should we make the effort to be in God's presence? Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Now anyone who has experienced joy, always wants to receive more, the joy of the Lord is our strength, although this scripture certainly applies to us when we go to heaven, it also applies to us now for our eternal life began the day we were born again. We also know from experience that wonderful feeling of joy when God reveals His presence at the church meeting or anywhere else. Only God himself can bring full joy to our hearts, only He can satisfy our souls. Jesus Christ is the bread of life that alone can satisfy our spiritual hunger. Our destiny in Christ is to be continually with Him forever but I believe we can begin to do that starting now. Amen Prayer. In Part 2 we are going to consider how it might be possible to increase our awareness of the presence of the Lord in our daily lives.

You were created to do good works In Part 2 we saw that that each believer is God’s work of art, or even you could say God’s masterpiece. Today: We explore what it means that we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do Good works are not to gain salvation, which would place confidence in ourselves. Good works are to follow salvation so that they too are a fruit of God’s good work in our lives. The new life does not only provide a faith to believe in Christ for salvation but a faith to live out God’s plan for our lives. It is here that we see the glorious power in the faith that He has given to us. Paul’s argument is straightforward. If we are saved, then we are saved to live out good works such as Christ would do. Paul is expanding the notion of what it means to be raised up together with Christ. Christ lives through our lives in the power of the Holy Spirit. Good works prepared for us John 13:14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. First thing to note is Jesus gave us the perfect example of the good works we are called to do. This scripture is talking about refreshing one another on the dusty road of life. Following Jesus example there are many good works prepared for us, sharing the good news, praying for the sick, giving to the poor, listening to someone’s troubles etc. etc. It is when we are doing such good works that we display the fruit of the spirit [1], love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. This is the good fruit Jesus want us to display. Please note we need to embrace these good works although God has prepared them for us. Ask the Lord what good works he has prepared for you today? Prayer Lord, we thank you that you have created us to be unique, your work of art, your masterpiece and for a specific purpose, that we might do the good works such as Jesus did. Lord show each one of us what good work you have prepared for me/us to do today and indeed every day. Amen [1] Galatians 5:22-23 For full text for printout and access to other parts of You are God's work of art click below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/you-are-god-s-work-of-art-part-3

You are God's masterpiece In Part 1 we saw that each human life is unique- you are God’s unique creation. You are god’s work of art, you are made in the image of God and you can be sure that your life is very important to God. Today we go again to Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. The English word handiwork is poiema in the Greek. So, we could say that each of us is one of God’s poems. What kind of poem are you? A love poem, a sonnet, a ballad or maybe even a limerick? Poiema has the connotation of something designed by an artisan, a work of art. It only takes a small stretch of the word poiema to give it the meaning of ‘masterpiece’. Famous author C. S. Lewis [1] put it like this, “We are, not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine work of art, something that God is making, and therefore something with which He will not be satisfied until it has a certain character. You may be work of art or a masterpiece, but God is still putting the final touches to your character. How do you like the fact that you are God’s masterpiece? Someone that God individually crafted-you are ‘one of a kind’. God threw away the mould when he made you. God treasures each person he has made. As Leonardo Da Vinci was proud of his Mona Lisa so is God proud of his Abi, Tina, Ian and each one of you readers! The idea here is that you were individually designed and with God’s purposes in mind for your life. When we are buying something, it is a strong selling point if it is individually hand-crafted. I was always laugh when I see a sign saying ‘hand battered’ fish… however, hand-crafted things usually have an added value in some way. You are designer person: once we get used to thrill of being God’s work of art or masterpiece, we should then begin to think about what we were made for (see Part 3). Prayer Lord, we thank you that you designed and created each of us as a work of art, or even as a masterpiece, and we pray that our lives will reflect that beauty and uniqueness in a way that focuses the glory back on you the Divine Artist/Artisan. Amen [1] C.S. Lewis- The problem of pain. For full text for printout and access to other parts of 'You are God's work of art' please click https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/you-are-god-s-work-of-art-part-2

Today we start a new 3 post mini-series which is titled …. You are God’s work of art so let’s celebrate the uniqueness of each of our individual lives. Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Do identical twins have identical DNA? Yes (at first) and No (later in life). Although it is true, they have different fingerprints. Yet each human life is unique. Millions of snowflakes fall every year around the world, and yet no two snowflakes are alike! If a hundred artists spent a year designing as many snowflakes, they couldn’t come up with the same variety. Every single snowflake is completely unique. Equally astounding is the variety of human beings who have lived, now live, and will live on the planet Earth. God has created each one of us as a unique creation! Believe it or not—no one else is just like you. Your physical appearance, your voice and personality traits—your habits, intelligence, personal tastes—all these make you one of a kind. Even your fingerprints distinguish you from every other human being—past, present, or future. You are not the product of some cosmic assembly line; you are unique. But perhaps the most important fact of your identity is that God created you in His own image (Genesis 1:27). He made you, so you could share in His creation, could love and laugh and know Him person to person. You are special indeed! The psalmist wrote in one of his most beautiful prayers, “I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14 made= the same Hebrew word for embroidery). God knew you even before you were born. Then, and now, He has plans just for you, plans conceived in love. God loves you and has an awesome plan for your life. Closing Prayer. Lord, I thank you because I am relevant in your kingdom. You Lord God made us all unique. Lord, please let me be the change that the world needs. Use me in and for the world, let me be the salt that will help this world, and let me be a light that will shine in this dark world. Amen For full text for printout and access to other parts of 'You are God's work of art' please click on the link below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/you-are-god-s-work-of-art-part-1

The dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus continues: John 3:5-17 John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” v5 This is not about baptism. The Greek word for both spirit and wind is the same word (pneuma). As a Pharisee, Nicodemus’ mind would begin to turn towards Exodus 14:21 (the Exodus) when the strong wind dried up the red sea and made a path to allow the children of Israel to walk into the promised land. God had to do a miracle with the wind and the water. Israel in a sense, was reborn at this moment. Nicodemus was beginning to understand the direction of Jesus as he spoke about the wind and the water. Born of water and the spirit. Water has 3 main pictures in the bible: 1.the Gospel-see Isaiah 55 2. Word of God Eph 5:26 3. Holy Spirit John 7:37-39 In v5 its meaning is the water as the word of God. v6 Our bodies are not suitable for heaven- we will receive a spiritual (resurrection) body in heaven. Theology is flesh, Truth is spirit. v.7-8 Nicodemus is shocked! Jesus uses the illustration of the wind. No person knows where it begins or ends but we can clearly see and/or hear its effects, but we know it is real. The new birth is as real as the wind! The effects are felt internally. 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. v9 Nicodemus is shocked and cannot grasp what Jesus is telling him. v10 Jesus suggests to Nicodemus that as the top religious person in Israel he ought to have deduced these things from the scripture. v11 When Jesus says ‘we’ here he means himself and the Holy Spirit are witnessing to Nicodemus, but he still does not get it. v12 Jesus says that if Nicodemus cannot receive earthly truth in his soul, then how much less can he receive heavenly truth in his spirit. v13 Jesus prophesies that he will shortly ascend to heaven after his resurrection. Jesus now continues talking to Nicodemus right though v14-21. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. v14-17 Jesus now preaches his wonderful Gospel message. Although most Christians know the verse John 3:16, few realise it was part of Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus. In Part 4 we will discuss whether or not Nicodemus became a believer in Jesus Christ and also learn how we can bring the message of the new birth to the unbelievers we meet in life.

Ezekiel 9 Let the judgements of God now begin! The Wicked Are Slain 1 Then He called out in my hearing with a loud voice, saying, “Let those who have charge over the city draw near, each with a deadly weapon in his hand.” 2 And suddenly six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his battle-ax in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen and had a writer’s inkhorn at his side. They went in and stood beside the bronze altar. God instructs his angelic warriors (watchers) who ironically would have been involved in the protection of the city to prepare their weapons of destruction to conduct his judgement. The deadly weapons the six angels carried were literally ‘shattering weapons’ or ‘slaughter-weapons’. Matthew Henry suggests the number of angels (six) was the same number as the six main gates of Jerusalem. There was amongst the six angels another one who was clothed in linen which was the type of garment worn by the priests. This person also had an ink horn like an ancient lawyer and was there to assist by marking some people for mercy. The presence of a priestly person makes us think of Jesus as the great High Priest and Mediator who saves humankind from divine justice. Some think that what Ezekiel is seeing here is prophetic of what the Chaldeans will do to Jerusalem some five years later. 3 Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple.[a] And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn at his side; 4 and the Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” The divine glory had moved up from the mercy seat to the temple threshold indicating that the Lord was moving from mercy into judgement. The Lord summoned the seventh angel and instructed him to put a mark like a cross on the foreheads of those who mourned over the sins of those who were defiling the temple. Those who had the X mark (Hebrew taw) on their foreheads would be spared as a righteous remnant from the coming judgement. 5 To the others He said in my hearing, “Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. 6 Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. 7 Then He said to them, “Defile the temple, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!” And they went out and killed in the city. The six warrior angels are commanded to destroy the idolaters with the single exception of those marked by the angel with the inkhorn as above. The angels are commanded to show no mercy on the guilty irrespective of age or gender and were to begin at the sanctuary which had been profaned by the guilty. The angels started with the elders who were at the temple. The angels were told to further defile the holy temple by filling its courts with the dead bodies of those whom they had executed. 8 So it was, that while they were killing them, I was left alone; and I fell on my face and cried out, and said, “Ah, Lord God! Will You destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out Your fury on Jerusalem?” Ezekiel falls on his face and begins to intercede for the guilty people who are being put to death by the six angels. He appeals to the Lord God of Israel asking him to remember to save a remnant of his people as he pours out his fury on Jerusalem. 9 Then He said to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see!’ 10 And as for Me also, My eye will neither spare, nor will I have pity, but I will recompense their deeds on their own head.” God replies to Ezekiel’s intercession that the children of Israel were too far gone into sin that it was now appropriate that the Lord God was compelled to judge them. The Israelites could not be allowed to continue there many heinous sins including the shedding of innocent blood, their perversity, and thinking that the Lord God did not see how they were living in the depths of sin. The Lord states because of the depth of sin being committed that he will not show any mercy on the guilty irrespective of age or gender as he had commanded the six angels. 11 Just then, the man clothed with linen, who had the inkhorn at his side, reported back and said, “I have done as You commanded me.” The seventh angel with the inkhorn now reports back to the Lord that he has completed the marking of the remnant who are to be excluded from this terrible judgement. Footnotes: Ezekiel 9:3 Literally house

The prayers of the Apostle Paul a) The prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 (read) This prayer contains a progressive revelation. Please note there are five main steps in this prayer. Step 1 Verse 16; To be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man. This strengthening with might in your inner man is an essential prerequisite before partaking of steps 2-5. For it is only through the ‘dynamite’ power of the Holy Spirit in us that we can progress spiritually. Step 2 Verse 17; Tells us that consequences of Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith is that we become rooted like a tree in love and grounded like a building, with Jesus Christ as your foundation. This means our Christian walk of obedience to Christ is based upon our responding in love to his love which Jesus gave first. Step 3 Verse 18; When we are strengthened with might in our inner man, and Christ is dwelling in our hearts by faith and we grow rooted and grounded in love then we are in the position to begin to comprehend or discern spiritually the dimensions of God`s love where it surpasses humanly discerned knowledge. Things to consider about the dimensions of God’s love. Breadth – boundless Length – endless Depth – fathomless Height [1] – measureless Even to describe God’s love as a sea is inadequate since seas have limits. Step 4 Verse 19 We must experience the love of Christ, each one of us. That agape love that the Holy Spirit sheds abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5). When we are filled to overflowing with his divine love then we attain the fourth step of the progression, which is that we have the richest measure of the divine presence and we become a body wholly filled and flooded with God himself. If this is true, it is possible that we can experience the richest measure of the divine presence! Wow! The Greek rendering of ‘filled with all the fullness’ suggests a continuous process, a progressive enlarging experience like a vessel being filled to the brim. Then the vessel expands, and the process goes on and on. Thus, our hearts will grow and take in more and more of Him. Amen. Step 5 Verse 20 Paul then goes on to say after having given us such a tremendous revelation of the word, that the Lord can do infinitely more than all that we dare ask or think, infinitely above our highest hopes, prayers, desires, thoughts, or dreams. Wow! Fellow saints, the word of God tells us that the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). Would you dare to make such a prayer as this, a prayer for yourself and for those you lead, would you dare to pray this prayer right now? In verse 20 did Paul get carried away with himself? Or was the Holy Spirit showing the church how we also ought to pray for ourselves and others, so that we can aim for the summit of God`s fullness in us in bodily form. If we ask Him for bread will he give us stone or snake for a fish? He knows what good gifts to give to His children. Matthew 5:6 Conclusion Would you dare to ask God for his best for yourself and others, or do you think that the Lord can only just keep you saved? See Ephesians 3:10 concerning the multi-faceted wisdom of God. The Word of God says that the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). Will you dare make such a spirit anointed prayer your fervent prayer. Dare to pray this prayer! Father God we bow our knees to you in the name of Jesus Christ. We ask that you grant us, according to your riches, that we might be strengthened with your mighty power in our inner man. We pray that Christ may be dwelling in our hearts by faith, and that we are becoming rooted and grounded in your divine love. We ask that we may be able to comprehend with all your saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of your love, and to come to truly know your love which surpasses human knowledge, that we might be filled with the love of God as you are Lord. Lord, we know you can do much more above all we can ask or even think because your power is at work in us and we say Amen and Glory to your name. [1] Height How high does God`s love extend? Look at the privileges we now enjoy and those the Lord has promised will come. See I Samuel 2:8 Isaiah 56:5 Romans 8:16-17 I John 3:1 Revelation 22:4-5

The practicalities of loving one another We have considered a number of 'love one another' scriptures. In this part we have two more of them followed by some practical suggestions as to how we can put 'loving one another into practice. Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. God has forgiven each one of us our total huge debts. Remember the parable of the big debtor who was forgiven his massive debt, yet he refused to forgive someone else a comparatively small debt. He received a suitable punishment. 1 Peter 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. Our love must be sincere and from the heart. If you cannot feel it then ask God to give it to you, for it is his will. Remember how Corrie Ten Boom was able to forgive a concentration camp officer where her family were murdered. She could only do it with God’s power. How do we put ‘loving one another into practice? Here are some suggestions. Serving one another – what does the person need that you can supply. A listening ear. Time together-company. Practical help – meals, garden, household chores, and tasks etc. Give whatever they need if you can- it is not necessarily financial but whatever our brother/sister needs. Give them a kind memory even in times of trouble/sadness. Amen Personal Prayer

We are commanded to love You will recall that Christians’ fellowship (koinonia) is the sharing our lives with each other. It means we ought to become involved in each other's lives. Christianity is a team game that needs every player taking part. We saw previously in our Body Ministry message that every part of the body of Christ has its unique part to play. No believer is independent of each other but rather we all are inter-dependent on each other, and we will only reach full maturity in the faith by working with each other. You will have certainly realised by now that Christianity is all about love meaning that our Christianity means for us to love God and to love our fellow man. New Testament Commandments Jesus commanded his followers to keep his commandments. John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. They are not suggestions or helpful hints, but they are Jesus' express commands to his followers and as such apply to us as part of his church. We are going to have a quick reminder as to what his commandments are. The two greatest commandments Matthew 22:36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:40 is a verse in the Bible that says, "On these two - hang all the law and the prophets. This means that the two great commandments, loving God with everything in our being and loving our neighbours as ourselves, are like the first and last links of a chain, and all the intermediate ones depend on them. Jesus upholds Deuteronomy 6:5 (the Shema), indicating that loving God with everything within us, is the great and first commandment. Think of the cross; Loving God is the vertical dimension and the loving our neighbours as ourselves is the horizontal dimension of our love. Who is your neighbour? As explained in the parable of the Good Samaritan, our neighbour is anyone who needs our help! A new Commandment John 13:33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.” Well, how does Jesus love his followers? Take a moment to think. He loves us unto death! His love was so great that he gave his life’s blood that we might be forgiven and reconciled to God. Jesus expects that our love for each will be sacrificial putting the needs of one another ahead of our own. In the early Church, Tertullian tells us that the witness of Christian love, struck pagans. “See how they love one another!” they would remark. I wonder if any people today could look at us today say the same thing as Tertullian. Our love for one another should be the hallmark of our Christian faith and be the major characteristic of how we deal with one another. Amen Personal Prayer In Part 2 we consider some scriptures that tell how to deal with one another, relating to each other, and things we do together.

Learning to show love from example We are continuing to consider scriptures that inspire us to love one another. Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. v24 How can we spur one another towards love and good works? I think the best approach by our own Godly example. When I was aged 11 or 12, I crashed my elder brother’s bike and buckled the wheels. I went back to my Christian Aunt’s for help, and she tended to my wounds and gave me 10 shillings (big amount) which helped to pacify my brother. I cannot recall my accident without remembering her love and kindness and it still inspires me today. What I learned from my Aunt was when something bad happens in someone’s life try to find a way to bless them that becomes part of the overall memory. v25 We can only walk the Christian faith together meaning we need each other to grow in the faith. Sometimes we think we could do better without any involvement of our fellow believers-but this is the opposite of the truth because God designed us to be a family that is inter-dependent. We might not be able to get to every church meeting- but our hearts should want to be there. We need to be careful that by not attending the church meetings that we are being lured away from the place of safety – remember what happens to lone wagons and when the enemy attacks. It is much safer when the wagons circle! 1 John 3: 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Again, we are commanded to love one another! 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Love is giving as illustrated in John 3:16. God initiated this giving of love. Propitiation: means to turns away the wrath of God. If God so loved us, we ought to love one another. Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honour, We must try to enhance each other’s lives and ministries by bringing out the best in each other. Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Each of us belong to our own church and we should have unity of purpose including. loving God, loving each other, loving those in the world and be willing to associate with the poor and lowly and never to be condescending to anyone. Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. It is our duty and indeed our privilege to give loving service to each other. This means we should seek to meet each other's needs. Amen Personal Prayer In Part 4 (final) we consider the practicalities of loving one another.

Practical advice for dealing with rejection There are 100+ scriptures in the New Testament that refer to ‘one another’, or to ‘each other’, or ‘together’. For example there are such references in the last 5 chapters of Romans. So we are spoiled for choice in studying what the scriptures say about loving one another. Here is a selection of them. Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Our basis for accepting each other as brothers and sisters in Christ is that the Lord himself has already accepted each one of us. There can be no higher recommendation than the approval of Jesus Christ. Most of our lives we can struggle to be accepted because many groups, teams and clubs, like you to be good at something e.g. golf, football, hockey, chess, bowling etc., but we accept each other in Christ. We are now going on a slight detour to discuss what non-acceptance means. Acceptance versus Rejection Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone, which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Most of us at some time in life will experience some form of rejection. Family or so-called friends might decide to terminate their relationship with us under various circumstances. We might feel let-down, bewildered and angry that people can be as unkind, but it is a lesson unfortunately we need to learn in this world. Even when we go for a job interview or some selection process for sports or team ventures, we might be rejected. In all these forms of rejection we must be humble, forgiving and fight any tendency towards bitterness. This what Jesus Christ himself experienced. The one people in the world who should have known who and what the Son of God would be like, were the Jews. But when He came to them, most of them including their secular and religious leaders rejected and dismissed Him as an impostor. He was the precious stone which the builders rejected yet he was and still is the most important stone in the building known as the church, which is the cornerstone! The corner-stone or capstone is usually laid at a ceremony in honour of a new building. All the other stones fit in around the cornerstone. So, is there someone whose judgement that we can trust? When we look at people we can be so influenced by external things, such as their appearance, demeanour, dress sense, personality etc. But when God considers a person, He looks right into their heart. A clear example of this was when the Lord sent Samuel the prophet to anoint one of the sons of Jesse as King over Israel. Samuel considered each one of them from the natural point of view, how tall or handsome that they were. But God makes it quite clear in 1 Samuel 6:7 that He is interested in a person’s heart. The inner qualities not the external are much more important. So, what does this mean in practice for us in our day to day lives? Firstly, when we are rejected and put down, our loving heavenly Abba Father is always there to remind us of our true value, which is that you are valuable and precious to Him. So much so that He gave His only begotten Son…John 3:16. The world’s value system is superficial and dangerous. Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light! Do not trust outward appearances, Jesus told the Pharisees that they were white-washed tombstones, white on the inside but inside dark and horrible, full of dead men’s bones! Secondly, we must ask the Lord for discernment in all the appropriate areas of life. The wrong choice of a marriage or business partner can easily ruin someone’s life. Running with the wrong crowd of friends has also caused unnecessary suffering and grief in some lives. We can take a good example from the disciples after the resurrection when they gathered to choose a replacement for the traitor Judas Iscariot. They prayed indicating that only God Himself truly knows what is in a man’s heart and therefore they asked the Lord to show who His choice for the vacant position was. The Lord then spoke to the hearts of the disciples, and they chose whom they believed that the Lord had already chosen. In conclusion, no matter what people say or do to you, God will always love you and never let you down. Since only God truly knows a person’s heart, we must ask Him to guide us in all our decisions involving people. We might not always get the answer we want or like, but we can console ourselves by the knowledge that the Lord’s choice will always be the right one! Amen Personal Prayer In Part 3 we return to those wonderful ‘one another’ scriptures.

By praying In Part 2 we looked at how we should give to poor and saw that secrecy was vital and not to look from the approval of other people. Likewise today in Part 3 your prayers ought to be strictly between you and the Lord. You motive is crucial. Matthew 6: 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. v5 If your intention when you pray is to be publicly noticed by man then you are a hypocrite. The praise of man is all you can expect. Pray in secret and store up treasure in heaven. v6 Your prayer should be done in private place away from the gaze of others. This is the kind of prayer Abba Father delights to reward. v7 God is not impressed by our babbling prayers like the unbelievers nor is he impressed by repetitive prayers because he heard you first time. v8 Abba Father knows exactly what you need, even if sometimes you don't. He already knows. Secret praying is seen by God. Public praying is seen by man. Like our giving, our praying seems to work best when offered in private not public. Behaving religiously in public does not impress God one bit! Amen Your Closing Prayer