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Why do afflictions come to the believer? In Part 3: We looked at the Holy Spirit as out comforter, helper, advocate etc. i.e. our Divine Paraclete. Today in Part 4: Why do afflictions come to the believer? Could it even be that that it is in the face of affliction that Christian ministry becomes most effective? Do you remember the story of Paul’s thorn in the flesh (TITF)? 2 Cor. 12:7-10 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Paul's thorn in the flesh is a colloquialism used to describe various possibilities such as a chronic infirmity, an annoyance, or trouble in a believer's life. It is mostly used by Christians. A minister friend of mine calls me his thorn in the flesh! Through the centuries various meanings have been ascribed to Paul’s thorn in the flesh; persecutions and unfortunate experiences, the temptation to unbelief, a pain in the ear/head, an eye condition etc. My own view is that it was hindering spirit (angelos) which stirred up opposition wherever Paul went. So, what was the purpose of the thorn in the flesh? Christian ministry seems to be most effective when the believer recognises her own weakness and this is exactly what the TITF achieves! It is the irritation of the grains of sand that leads to the oyster producing a pearl. In 2 Cor 1:7 ‘Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.’ Closing Prayer Amen

The Holy Spirit is the divine Comforter In Part 2: We saw that the Holy Scriptures in the bible contain tremendous comfort and encouragement for not only for ourselves but also that we can share with others. In Part 3 we are going to look at the Holy Spirit as the divine Comforter (Paraclete or Parakletos) which can also be translated as Comforter, Advocate, Helper, one called alongside to help and Counsellor. John 14:16-20, 25-27, with the translation of Paraclete as Advocate (shown in bold): 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. To have the Holy Spirit as our Paraclete is to have God Himself indwelling us as believers. The Holy Spirit teaches us the Word and guides us into truth. He reminds us of what Jesus has taught so that we can depend on His Word in the difficult times of life. The Spirit works in us to give us His peace (John 14:27), His love (John 15:9–10), and His joy (John 15:11). He comforts our hearts and minds in a troubled world. The power of the indwelling Paraclete gives us the ability to live by the Spirit and “not gratify the desires of the sinful flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The Spirit can then produce His fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23) to the glory of God the Father. What a blessing to have the Holy Spirit in our lives as our Paraclete—our Comforter, our Encourager, our Counsellor, and our Advocate! Amen Closing Prayer

Part 2 of 5 Comfort from the bible In Part 1, we saw that all comfort comes from God and that Paul gives the example of his own life, a life full of affliction but also full of comfort for us to follow. Comfort should move in a circle between the believers (see Part 4). In Part 2 our focus is on the comfort that we get from God’s Word, the bible. Here are a number of examples of strong comfort from the bible. John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Psalm 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod (discipline) and your staff (protection), they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows…. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind. The way scripture comforts us is by the indwelling Holy Spirit making the comforts of the bible alive to us. When we comfort others with a scripture, we are giving the Holy Spirit (the divine Comforter) an opportunity to comfort them. We will pick up on this in Part 3. Closing Prayer Amen

New 5 part mini-series on giving and receiving comfort- Paul explains how it works Part 1 Comfort: How to receive it/ how to give it. Some people think God is in the business of comforting the afflicted and others think that God afflicts the comfortable! In these days of the global pandemic and lockdown it is important we know to how to both give and receive comfort. The flow of comfort from God and between his people 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. What does it mean to comfort someone? Dictionary definition 1. To soothe in time of affliction or distress. 2. To ease physically; relieve: comforted the feverish patient with a cool cloth. Here in our passage, the idea of comfort is “to strengthen much,” ''to encourage — to stand by another and encourage him as he endures testing''. Paul wanted his hearers to understand that the merciful Father is the author of all possible comfort and consolation. There is no enduring comfort apart from him. What were Paul’s afflictions that he needed comfort from? Paul was certainly one of the most afflicted men ever. He suffered cold, nakedness, beating, imprisonment, criminal assault, shipwreck, betrayal, desolation, desertion, and more. His was a life of perpetual death: “For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake” 2 Corinthians 4:11. However, this said, he found that God comforted him in all his afflictions. Not in some afflictions but in “all” of them! Every one of Paul’s epic miseries was attended by God’s comfort. His repeated imprisonments were venues of God’s comfort. Through each of the forty lashes administered on five separate occasions, with the final lashes meant to bring him to the point of death, he experienced the comfort of God. When he was stoned in Lystra he experienced the comfort of God. Adrift on the high seas (for the third time!) he knew the comfort of God again. When he was in danger from rivers — God’s comfort, danger from robbers — God’s comfort, danger from his own people — God’s comfort, danger in the city — God’s comfort, danger in the wilderness — God’s comfort, danger from false brothers — God’s comfort. “In toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure” 2 Corinthians 11:27, Paul always experienced God’s comfort. Never once was he without the comfort of God. Paul significantly tells us that, God can get you through your present affliction and Paul's own life was proof! Closing Prayer. Amen

Chapter 3 Ezekiel is appointed as a watchman to Israel 1 Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. The Lord commands Ezekiel to the eat the scroll which he does immediately. In his mouth the scroll surprisingly tasted sweet. 4 Then He said to me: “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them. 5 For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel, 6 not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted. 8 Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. 9 Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.” The Lord had sent the prophet to his very own people who spoke the language as Ezekiel. Had God sent him to a foreign people then they would have been more receptive that the Jews who continued their impudence and hard-heartedness towards God. God has toughened Ezekiel to be able to cope with this rebellious people. Ezekiel is reminded not to fear this rebellious people or their fierce looks. 10 Moreover He said to me: “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears. 11 And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ whether they hear, or whether they refuse.” The Lord instructs the prophet to take all his words into his heart and tell them to the Jews whether they would listen or not. 12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: “Blessed is the glory of the Lord from His place!” 13 I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, and a great thunderous noise. 14 So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me. 15 Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat and remained there astonished among them seven days. The Spirit of God causes Ezekiel to stand on his feet and immediately he hears from behind him a voice like thunder declaring that ‘blessed is the glory of the Lord from His throne.’ The man of God is now aware of the noise coming from the wings of the cherubim as they touch each other and the noise of the wheels moving and another sound like thunder. Ezekiel is filled with sadness of the message and is now transported by the Spirit of God back to the exiles camp at Tel Abib near the River Chebar. 16 Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: 18 When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. 20 “Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. 21 Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.” One-week later God speaks to Ezekiel again telling that he has been appointed as a watchman over the house of Israel. If the prophet is faithful in passing on God’s warnings to the wicked in Israel, then they will be responsible for their own guilt. Even if God tells him to warn a righteous man who is in sin, then Ezekiel will be innocent, and the righteous man will be responsible for his own obedience or disobedience. However if Ezekiel fails to warn either the wicked or the righteous man then God will hold Ezekiel accountable for this. 22 Then the hand of the Lord was upon me there, and He said to me, “Arise, go out into the plain, and there I shall talk with you.” God now calls the prophet to come out onto the plain where he will receive further instructions. 23 So I arose and went out into the plain, and behold, the glory of the Lord stood there, like the glory which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face. 24 Then the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet and spoke with me and said to me: “Go, shut yourself inside your house. 25 And you, O son of man, surely, they will put ropes on you and bind you with them, so that you cannot go out among them. 26 I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and not be one to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious house. 27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house. Ezekiel now sees the glory of the Lord just as before when he saw it on the banks of the River Chebar. He immediately falls face down before the Lord. The spirit of God enters him and sets him on his feet then instructs him to go to his house and lock himself in. God tells the man of God what is going to happen to him next. The Jews will tie him up as though he were a madman. His tongue will stick to the roof of his mouth so that he cannot even speak to these rebels against God. At a certain time, the Lord will enable Ezekiel to speak to the Jews and some will listen, but some will not.

Chapter 2 Ezekiel is commissioned and tested Ezekiel is not addressed by his name in the whole book, but he is referred to several times as ‘son of man.’ This has a strong connotation of indicating his place in the creation order. In this chapter the prophet receives his commission and a test of obedience from the Lord. 2:1 And He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.” 2 Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me. 3 And He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. 4 For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ 5 As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them. The speaker is the man sitting on the throne is in fact the Lord. The Lord comes straight to the point and commands Ezekiel to go to his own people the children of Israel a rebellious nation just as their fathers were. The Lord further describes the Israelites as an impudent and stubborn people. Ezekiel is further commanded to speak directly to the Jews in the manner of ‘thus says the Lord’ whether they would listen to him or not. 6 “And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. 7 You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” The Lord commands Ezekiel not to live in fear of these people though he will have to listen to their horrible words and demeanour towards him that he could expect from these rebels against God. Ezekiel is to be different and be hungry to receive God’s word. 9 Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. 10 Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe. A hand now stretched out to the prophet and scroll was in the hand. As the Lord opens the scroll Ezekiel sees that there is writing on both sides of the scroll. The subject matter was very grave and consisted of lamentations mourning and woe.

Chapter 1 Introduction Ezekiel 1 The prophet Ezekiel was like Daniel taken captive to Babylon. Ezekiel was taken in the second exile of the Jews whereas Daniel had been taken in the first exile some years before him. Ezekiel was born into the priestly line of Buzi thus suggesting he was from an influential patrician family. He was married man but with no record of him having any children. Due to exile in Babylon Ezekiel was not able to perform his priestly role at the Holy Temple in Jerusalem but God had other plans for him using him instead as a prophet. The prophet Ezekiel received a series of 14 visions from the Lord many of which allowed him to see the Glory of God in different situations. Other recurring themes in this book include the contrast between sinful men and a righteous God and the calling of Israel to repentance towards God, the coming judgement for sin is a key theme yet with messages of hope. Ezekiel means ‘God strengthens.’ New King James Version (NKJV)- Ezekiel’s Vision of God 1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions[a] of God. 2 On the fifth day of the month, which was in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, 3 the word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans[b] by the River Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was upon him there. On a specific day of a specific month and year Ezekiel had open visions (i.e. whilst awake) of God. These visions were given to Ezekiel whilst he was on the bank of the River Chebar. God’s hand was upon him signifying that the Lord was communicating with him. 4 Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5 Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man.6 Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. 7 Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the colour of burnished bronze. 8 The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. 9 Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward. Ezekiel first notices that a mighty storm is approaching from the north. It manifests as a whirlwind or tornado sucking in clouds and fire. This tornado was bright in appearance and seemed to have an amber glow. The tornado had inside it four living creatures whose appearance was like that of the cherubim[1] i.e. each one had four different faces and four wings. Their legs were straight, but their feet were like those of calves. The creatures sparkled like polished bronze. Each cherub had two hands like a human. Somehow these creatures were able to move in any direction at will but without needing to turn around. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. 11 Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies. 12 And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went. Each cherub had four different faces which included that of a man, that of a lion, that of an ox and that of an eagle. There are various theories as to the significance of these faces, but they somehow represent creation and glorify God as the Creator. Two wings of each cherub stretched upward and touched the cherubs beside them, and the other two wings covered their bodies. Ezekiel mentions again these creatures were able to move in any direction at will but without needing to turn around. 13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning. 14 And the living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning. The heavenly beings appeared to glow like coals in a fire. Something like flaming torches moved between the heavenly beings and this produced lightning as they moved. 15 Now as I looked at the living creatures, behold, a wheel was on the earth beside each living creature with its four faces. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their workings was like the colour of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. The appearance of their workings was, as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17 When they moved, they went toward any one of four directions; they did not turn aside when they went. 18 As for their rims, they were so high they were awesome; and their rims were full of eyes, all around the four of them. 19 When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. 20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, because there the spirit went; and the wheels were lifted together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures[c] was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went; when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures[d] was in the wheels. Each creature has a wheel like structure associated with them, the description makes me think of a gyroscope relating to their ability to move without turning. If the inner wheel was at 90o to the outer wheel, then this may well enable them to move in any direction without having to turn around. The wheels in some way seemed integral to the creatures. The wheel rims were full of eyes is in some way reflecting the omniscience of the Lord. However, it could be a metaphor for gemstones. Bible teacher Roger Price thinks that the outer and inner wheels represent a mobile throne. Emperors and Kings in the ANE usually had two thrones, a fixed one in their capital and a mobile throne for touring their empire[2]. This reflects the Lord as King and fits in with the idea that the book of Ezekiel is about judgement i.e. the Lord is sitting on his throne in judgement of Israel. 22 The likeness of the firmament above the heads of the living creatures[e] was like the colour of an awesome crystal, stretched out over their heads. 23 And under the firmament their wings spread out straight, one toward another. Each one had two which covered one side, and each one had two which covered the other side of the body. 24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings. 25 A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings. The sky above the cherubim had the appearance of a beautiful crystal that he been stretched out over the throne. Underneath the sky were the four cherubim each with two wings outspread towards each other and their other wings covering the other side of their bodies. The noise of their wings was like an army in battle. These heavenly beings were acting on the commands from the throne above. In a sense the cherubim are pulling God’s chariot which holds his throne above it. 26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the colour of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. On the sky dome above them was a placed throne with the appearance of sapphires on which was seated a man. The man from the waist and above was coloured amber and below the waist was clothed in fire and light. This is certainly a theophany or christophany where God is manifest in the flesh. The brightness emanating from the throne resembled a rainbow and reflects the glory of God’s covenants. Illustration from the NKJV Ezekiel Sent to Rebellious Israel So, when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking. When Ezekiel realises what he is seeing he prostates himself on the ground and hears a voice addressing him. The Lord is about to tell Ezekiel what he wants him to do. Footnotes: Ezekiel 1:1 Following Masoretic Text, Septuagint, and Vulgate; Syriac and Targum read a vision. Ezekiel 1:3 Or Babylonians, and so elsewhere in this book Ezekiel 1:20 Literally living creature; Septuagint and Vulgate read spirit of life; Targum reads creatures. Ezekiel 1:21 Literally living creature; Septuagint and Vulgate read spirit of life; Targum reads creatures. Ezekiel 1:22 Following Septuagint, Targum, and Vulgate; Masoretic Text reads living creature. [1] Ezekiel 10:20 this is the living creature I saw under the God of Israel by the River Chebar, and I knew they were cherubim. 21 Each one had four faces and each one four wings, and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings. 22 And the likeness of their faces was the same as the faces which I had seen by the River Chebar, their appearance, and their persons. They each went straight forward. [2] Roger Price Chichester Christian Fellowship audio series STS 037.

Do you use all of them? There are 5 main types of Prayer in the New Testament Four of them are found in 1 Timothy 2:1 and one in Ephesians 6:17-20. The 5 types are as follows. 1 Timothy 2:1 (KJV) 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 1. Supplication; Simply means calling on the Lord. It is your heart felt response to what is in your heart and mind. God heard the cry of the Israelites in Egyptian bondage and sent a deliverer. Also, in New Testament [Romans 10] anyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Supplication (when done with a whole heart) might contribute towards revival, when we are sick of both our own and our church deadness, we must cry out to the Lord. 2. Petitionary Prayers: This is specific prayer requests like the one by the Rev Yongi Cho. He chooses a specific bicycle, American, 10-speed, blue drooping handles. Or what about a new church bus specifically a 20-seater, <3 years old, under 60,000 miles or a new church building or whatever your own church specific needs are. 3. Intercessions; Deeper form of prayer needing stronger commitment. Type of prayer that identifies with the situation or a person`s feelings, for example pain. It takes the burden. Rees Howells had to go and live with a tramp to identify with him. Jesus is our great intercessor. Intercession can be identified when Queen Esther went before the King at the risk of her life. Daniel identified himself with the sins of the people (Israel) also did Moses. Intercessors stand in gap between man and God asking for judgement to be withheld so that some may be saved. 4. Thanksgiving: Giving thanks gives honour and glory to God in every circumstance. Thanksgiving pleases God, as he sees us focus on him and his provision rather than ourselves. Thanksgiving should be an everyday lifestyle. We can thank God for preventing us going through a trial but sometimes for the grace to go through other trials. 5. Praying /Speaking the Scriptures This can be the rhema word used in prayer warfare (see Matthew 4 below) or you could say the Living Word. The logos word is the written word but the rhema word is the spoken word. Jesus used the rhema word against Satan when he was tempted in the wilderness. The rhema words Jesus spoke against Satan’s temptations are italicized in the passage below. Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And says unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, it is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. 9 And says unto him, all these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then says Jesus unto him, get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaves him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Three times Jesus said 'it is written' meaning this is what is written in the Hebrew scriptures. As Jesus spoke the word of God, it was energised by the Holy Spirit and became the rhema or living word striking down the devil's ploy. Ephesians 6:17 KJV And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; The rhema word is also the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) and is effective against the wiles of the devil. Remember to use it when tempted! Let us seek to use all 5 types of prayer as appropriate, to the glory of God. Amen Personal Prayer

How to interpret the parables Philip the evangelist [Acts 8:30] asked the Ethiopian church as he read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, “Do you understand what you are reading?” Today, I would like to ask you the same question “Do you understand the scriptures that you are reading?” We cannot understand anything in the scriptures unless the Holy Spirit reveals it to us. However, God is not in the business of making it difficult for his church to understand his word. In fact, he has appointed some keys in the bible to make it easier for us to understand what he is saying through his word. Today, we are going to look at 3 examples of keys to unlocking the meaning of Psalms, Proverbs and Parables. We are starting with the parables. Parables: is a story comparison where something is laid against something else. It usually is something spiritual laid alongside something natural, with a view to give understanding to God`s people and hiding it from his enemies. The key to understanding the parables is found in the parable of the sower. Mark 4:3-20; Parable of Sower Verse 12; Unbelievers do not understand Verse 13; If you do not understand this parable, how will you understand others. This is the most simple of parables and shows us how to interpret all the other parables. A. Sower (believer) sows’ word (gospel) field (human heart) B. Those by Road (do not understand) birds (Satan) steals it C. Those by Rocks (understood) joyful acceptance but does not give word time to develop roots and when persecuted falls away. D. Word sown in thorns is choked by cares and worries desire for worldly things. Their eyes are off Jesus. E. Word sown on (good) heart understands it and is obedient to it. Produces fruits (good works) by *100, *50, *30 (minimum) Meanings Seed = Word of God Ground field = Human heart Birds = Satan and demons Rocky ground = Hardened heart Thorns = Hearts preoccupied with worries and worldly desires Good soil = Open hearts Fruit = Good work/character So in each parable, the things in it represent the elements of God`s truth revealed in a way to make his people understand. Try another example now Matthew 13:24-30; Parable of the Tares Sower of Good seed = Son of Man, Jesus Christ Field = World Good seed = Sons of the Kingdom of God Tares = Sons of Evil one Enemy = devil Harvest = End of Age Reapers = Angels Tares Burning = evil Check your answer against Matthew 13:36-42 Prayer: May the Lord open his word to each one of us and cause us to understand what the Spirit is saying to us in his church. Amen

We are tempted out from the Lord's safety gradually Biologists tell us that if you drop a live frog into a beaker of boiling water, its reflexes will cause it to immediately spring from the water and thus save its life. However, if you put the frog into a beaker of lukewarm water and very gently heat it up a degree at a time, you will eventually succeed in boiling the frog. This is the same tactic that Satan often uses on God’s people when tempting them away from God and into sin. He seldom comes to the thoughts of the Christian and tempts them to simply turn their back on God all at once. But rather little by little, bit by bit, degree by degree, Satan seeks to lead us away from the Lord. Like in the case of the frog the change is so subtle and almost imperceptible that we might not notice until it is too late! Satan being a serpent seeks to hypnotize God’s people into a state of deception. Once he has anaesthetised us, he then seeks to bring his theft, his destruction and death into our lives, our families, and our churches. How many drug addicts start directly on heroin? All alcoholics start with one drink. All nicotine addicted smokers start with one cigarette. It is the same with sexual perversion. Lust cannot be satisfied by definition! Amen Satan, the tempter, softly whispers to our minds just one … joint, fix, drink, or kiss. Go on you will enjoy it. It will not harm you, knowing full well that his goal to get you hooked into sin and bondage. He wants to take away your free-will choices so that he can take you captive at will. Jesus Christ came to set us free and to restore our free-will choices back to us. As you might have guessed by now our topic is about backsliding away from God and more specifically how to spot it in our own lives and the lives of our brothers and sisters. Once we can spot it, we can take remedial action to prevent it. In Genesis 4:7, the Lord tells Cain that sin is crouching at the door. This is a graphic illustration of how sin personified is always just waiting for that weak moment in our lives to spring into our hearts and minds and defile us. It was a spirit of murder that entered Cain’s heart, which led him to slay his brother Abel because of his jealousy at the Lord commending Abel’s sacrifice. What about us? It might only take one moment of uncontrolled lust or adulterous thoughts/deeds to cause us to fall spectacularly. Any single wicked idea that pops into our minds if not brought into captivity and whoosh the devil is straight in there, tempting us to convert that wicked thought into the sinful deed. However, we must not be discouraged because God has given us two marvellous promises in His word. Firstly, there is no tempting which affects only you or I but when the temptation to sin comes, God always shows us a way out of it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted beyond what ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Secondly, Jesus Christ himself is not only able to keep each one of us from failing into sin but undertakes to present us one day to the Father without fault! Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, What marvellous promises! But we must play our part and keep alert, by watching and praying. We must continue to exercise a godly control over every thought that comes into our minds. This involves us being alert and active and not allowing the devil to lull our minds into a slumber thus allowing an evil seed of an idea to implant into our hearts and minds. We must learn to walk in the Spirit and thus not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. The Christian life is a life of constant vigilance against a malignant foe. A definition of the term backsliding might be ‘turning back or away from God’. It involves disloyalty and unthankfulness by us forgetting all that God has done for us. A classic biblical picture of backsliding and from which we get the term is found in Hosea 4:16. A sheep is sliding down a slippery hillside away from the protection of the shepherd bit by bit into danger and eventually destruction. So Satan desires us to slip away from the living God by discouraging us from daily prayer and bible study and from regular fellowship with our fellow believers. His aim is to make our faith in God operationally dead or ineffective. This of course will stop us dead in our tracks from our evangelism and witnessing. This is where we can really help ourselves by reminding each other how much the Lord loves us and of all that he has done for us. Particularly by the giving of Jesus Christ for our sins. We must encourage each other to press on in our walk with God. The tell-tale signs of backsliding may not be obvious at first to us and are sometimes easier to see in others (beware of pride and pray for your brother or sister if relevant). But if we can agree that any of the following statements are true then we could well be in the process of backsliding. There has been a gradual decline in our bible reading and study. We pray less often and are less aware of the Lord’s presence when we do. Our desire to go to church and meet Christians for fellowship is waning. 1 Corinthians 10:13 2 Corinthians 10:5 Hosea 4:16 We might notice that our Christian friends are dropping hints that they are concerned about our spiritual welfare. There seems to be a general lack of enthusiasm for God, his things, and his people. The counsel we need when we are backsliding is to for someone to point out that Satan is trying to anaesthetize you and put you to sleep so that he can steal, kill, and destroy in your life. We need also to be reminded of just how much God loves us and how he will receive us in repentance with outstretched arms. Sometimes a mature believer may confront us in love. Do not be offended by this for it is an act of love. If you are not sure whether the rebuke is warranted, then take it to the Lord in prayer and examine your heart and lifestyle before him. The restoration process begins by admitting our sin and asking God to forgive us. Do you want to be boiled like frog? Do you want to be anaesthetized by Dr Satan? Do you want to be put to sleep spiritually speaking? Wake up, be alert and return to the Lord with all your heart asking that He restore your zeal for Him, His word, his fellowship, and his people. He will love you freely! Amen Personal Prayer

Jesus' manifesto In these days of the global pandemic, there are a lot of broken hearts around the world. Bereavement of a loved one, loss of employment and income, or having your livelihood taken from you, all these things could break your heart. Recently, one of the leaders from Teen Challenge let me into secret, which is that most people with addiction problems, have a broken heart. When your heart is broken by whatever means including the pandemic, you might try and mend it with many different things such as drink, drugs, sex, money etc. But as you probably know by now, none of these things can really mend your broken heart. They might make you feel better for a day or two, but the misery of a broken heart will kick back in eventually. What does the bible say about a broken heart? The Bible has many verses that can encourage and inspire the broken-hearted. The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). If your heart is broken today and your spirit is crushed then you need to know this, that God is near to you and wants to save your crushed spirit. Here is some more good news for those who have a broken heart, whatever the cause. One day, Jesus stood up in the synagogue and said Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised… Luke 4:18 was then and still is Jesus’ manifesto. Part of the reason Jesus came to earth was to heal the broken hearted. Jesus can give you a new heart, or he can renew and soften a hard heart. In the New Testament (in the short book of Philemon), there is a story of one bad boy who had broken a few hearts (let us call him Onie short for Onesimus). Onie had worked for a guy named Phil short for Philemon). One day Onie jumped ship taking some of his boss’s goods. Onie went to another town and soon ended up in jail, where he met Paul the Christian. To cut a long story short, Onie became a Christian and was soon ready for release. Paul urged him to go back to his boss’s house and gave him a letter addressed to Phil, who just happened to be a friend of Paul. In the letter, Paul tells Phil that Onie is a changed man and will be useful to Phil this time round. Paul tells Phil that he will personally pay any debts (thefts) that Onie owed to his boss. Paul reminds Phil that he helped Phil himself to become a Christian, so he owes him. Paul expects Phil to give Onie a fresh start and even to go beyond this and treat him like a brother. Perhaps some of us can admit to having been a bad boy or a bad girl, and maybe some who will also admit having broken a few hearts? Did you break you mother and/or your father’s heart? Or it was a wife or partner or your children’s or other family/friends’ hearts? Or it was your heart that was broken through abuse, you were treated like a dog or worse? Maybe it is your heart that needs mended today? God is always near to the broken hearted. Jesus came to bind up the broken hearted. Today it is time to stop being a bad boy or a bad girl and come home to Jesus. Jesus offers you a full and free pardon, though your sins be as scarlet, he can make you white as snow. God can mend the hearts you broke as well, but the process begins by asking him to forgive you. Only Jesus can do this. Jesus came to heal (bind up) the broken hearted so you can accept his offer today and we the church family are here to help you. If your broken heart has been mended then please pass Jesus' offer to someone you know who needs it. Amen Personal prayer For full text for printout and access to the full library of sermons please click below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/jesus-came-to-heal-the-broken-hearted

Giving your testimony God has given each one of us a powerful weapon for sharing the Gospel which is your story or by another name your testimony. Your testimony is simply the story of what Jesus has done in your personal life. People can argue about what the bible says or what the church says but they find it much more difficult to argue about what your personal experience in what you say Jesus Christ has done in your own life. Sharing your testimony is often the first direct step in leading someone to the Lord. You might have prayed You might have already built friendship bridges with the person. When you are witnessing by saying to someone ‘Jesus is in me’ they might not want to know. However many people are more polite and may respond in one of these ways. i What does that mean to you? ii How did you connect with Jesus? iii When did this happen? iv How do you know this is true? Any response that is not a conversation killer may be an opening for your testimony. We must share our story of Jesus in our lives simply and sincerely. Take their reply as a starting point even if it takes a while to answer their questions. We often don’t know how much time that they will give you to construct your testimony. There are usually 4 steps in sharing your faith story: Step 1: Identify the 3 main parts to your story: Before Christ – How you viewed your life/conduct before conversion, but no sordid details. Conversion story – What brought you to Christ and your actual conversion experience. After conversion – What differences has Christ made in your life since then. Explain why we want others to receive salvation. Every one of us usually can fit our testimonies into these 3 parts above. Emphasis: Give a balance to what your story was before and then after conversion. Jesus must be centre of story which should bring glory to God. Step 2: How to tell your story (things to remember) a. Remember you are a sinner saved by grace (so show humility) b. Do not be judgmental or dogmatic c. Listen for clues as to where they are at with any previous religious experience d. Find common ground if possible e. Be honest about your difficulties as well as joys. God is still with us f. Insert appropriate bible verses into your story g. Do not argue h. Avoid jargon i. Be short and to point j. Be sensitive to Holy Spirit speaking in you and through you k. Let them see that you have a living faith in God and you care about them Step 3: Remember only God can save them 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 KJV - I have planted, Apollos watered; but I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Our job is to plant the seed. Others might water it. But only God gives (the increase) i.e. the new life. Step 4: Do not just talk the talk. But we must walk the walk. Our lives must match our stories. Do not let your deeds cancel out your words. This is hypocrisy, we must all always be on the alert. How to prepare your Testimony Be concise, be constructive, and be convincing. We are going to write your testimony in 150 words. Practice Exercises (originally shared with a class) Break into pairs, share your story and discuss. Pray for each other’s future success. Try to think of other things that the Lord has done in your life and tell the story. Or make comments that beg a question that give you an opportunity to testify ( do you think you will go to heaven when your life is over)? Think how good works could add to the effect of your testimony e.g. by giving tracts and books, invitations to coffee, church, house group etc. Summary Every believer ought to be prepared to share their testimony. God will help you with it and in it. Ask God to anoint you with Holy Spirit as you share it. Your testimony is a unique and powerful weapon that can change the lives of other people. Be ready, be prepared, be bold, be courageous, be sensitive, and be successful for the sake of Jesus Christ. Never turn down an opportunity to share your story and give God the glory for your new life in Christ. Amen Personal Prayer For full text for printout and access to the full library of sermons/teachings click below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/how-to-share-your-faith-story-1