Archives for November 2018

 

We are continuing with our series on prayer. I hope that today’s message will encourage you to follow the master of prayer, the greatest Intercessor, our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

‘Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

    Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”

    Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”

    Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.

    The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here’” (Zechariah 3:1-7).

 

    “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

    But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

    Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me” (Luke 22:31-34).

 Also read: Isaiah 53:11-12; Luke 23:34

    ‘Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant’ (Colossians 1:21-23).

 God bless you as you pray for those who need heavenly intervention,

Pastor Matthew.

 

I want to encourage you to take on the nature and characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ in that of being a prayer intercessor, rather than the characteristic of the devil who only comes to condemn and accuse.
We will be looking at the following points in today’s message: 1) The Accuser; 2) The Intercessor; 3) The example of Job; 4) The example of Joshua, the high priest; 5) The importance of having your name written in Heaven

THE ACCUSER

‘Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent
called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth and his angels with him.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the
power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser
of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:7-12).

THE INTERCESSOR

‘Now there have been many of those priests since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them’ (Hebrews 7:23-25).

Also read: Job 1:6-12,20-22; 2:1-10; 42:7-9, Zachariah 3:1-7

‘He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:18-20).

God bless you as you follow the Intercessor, our Lord Jesus Christ.

 ‘Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up’ (Luke 18:1).

If God knows everything why does He want us to pray? If God has all power why does He need our prayers? How can our prayer make a difference in this world?

The aim of this message is to show you the incredible importance of prayer and why it can be effective in bringing about the will of God. When you understand something of how prayer works and why it is so necessary, you should be encouraged to pray all the more. Becoming stronger in prayer will help you to get closer to God.

We will look at three points:
1. Why we need to pray.
2. Why we should always pray and not give up.
3. Why people are uninterested in prayer.

How are some of the main Scriptures used in today’s message:

‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8).

‘But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble” (James 4:6).

‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’ (Jeremiah 29:13).

‘The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth’ (Psalm 145:18).

‘Come near to God, and he will come near to you’ (James 4:8).

‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

‘For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”( Romans 10:12-13).

God bless you as you spend time this week with the Lord in prayer,
Pastor Matthew.

Kaylene guides Dove Ministries which has a strong focus on healing and setting people free from spiritual bondage.
From her life-experience as a mother, wife and successful business woman, she has insight and skills that allow her to connect with a broad range of people.

Kaylene’s meetings are known for their warmth and genuine love. Coupled with God’s anointing, this sees her messages focus on helping others to make sense of God, the world, love, marriage and family.
Kaylene married Bill Subritzky in February 2012. Together they travelled and ministered nationally and internationally seeing many people healed and set free in the name of Jesus. They did this together until Bill passed away in December 2015.

Today Kaylene plans and leads Dove Ministries’, events, activities and resources, often appearing as a key speaker and prayer leader.
“I have a heart for all people, and I’m particularly focused on the needs and issues of hurting people in today’s world. With the increasing stress and pressure
of society, we are all looking for ways to not just survive but to thrive. I’ve personally found that God’s answers to our questions are the ones we can depend on, I’m committed to walking with those in need and seeing people receive
God’s hope for the future.

The story of my life before becoming a Christian and the miraculous way in which God called me into His Kingdom is a powerful testimony to God’s grace and love. I spent many years in the world and only became a Christian in later life, and then I had the privilege of being a part of a godly marriage with Bill.”

The Bible tells us that God has a plan for our lives. It says in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a hope and a future.”

God bless every person here today as you walk in Christ’s love,
Pastor Matthew.

Christians around the world are praying with solidarity on this day for our brothers and sisters who are facing persecution for the sake of following Christ. I encourage you to keep the following Scriptures in mind as you pray for those who are suffering for their faith in Jesus:

‘But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous’
(Matthew 5:44-45).

‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should’ (Colossians 4:2-4).

‘Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear’ (Philippians 1:12-14).

‘Remember those earlier days after you had received the light when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded’ (Hebrews 10:32-38). 

‘Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering’ (Hebrews 13:3).

‘However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name’ (1 Peter 4:16).

God bless you as you demonstrate the love of Christ to a fallen world,
Pastor Matthew.