The Sacred Places blog
In a world full of distractions, so many voices and spirits vying for our attention and commitment, it is more important than ever that we actively use the power of focus to help us stay grounded in our faith, on mission in the earth and to keep the trajectory of our journey toward God’s glory and country.
I shared a message on Sunday 4th Aug 2019 at Worldwide Mission Fellowship about our need to focus. You can watch or listen to it here.
I was recently asked to preach with just a days notice. I ended up speaking about the grace of God which is so rich, abundant and powerful that our shortcomings are no match for it…. I really needed that grace to prepare to share and to share at such short notice.
I focused on only 3 passages to bring home the idea of God’s generosity to the undeserving. I concluded by talking about the flood of grace which I summarised as follows:
“The flood of God’s holy-love, the flood of God’s judgement over sin and The Holy Spirit’s flood of resurrection life collide in the miracle of our salvation… let it flow from your life to the world around you”
You can watch or listen to it here the slides I used are available for download too.
As a follow up to yesterday’s post, here is a short post on the one who is the object of our faith, God! I was asked to share this at a very challenging time for our Church at the start of the month and did not have a large amount of time to prepare but God, The Holy Spirit led me by His grace. You can see or hear the message as well as download the slides here.
What follows are the notes I used while sharing.
The Subject the Lord has laid on my heart is the same as the last time I preached on Faith, however it now focuses exclusively on the object of our faith or the one in who we put our trust, God, the Faithful One.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (AV)
Hebrews 11:1, 6
Genesis 1:1-2
Exodus 3:14
Jeremiah 10:10
God is, the self-existent and sustaining one
God is independent in his thoughts, power, counsel and will
God does not change, he is immutable in his essence, perfections, decisions
God is infinite, he has no beginning (aseity), he cannot be measured (immensity)
God is one, the unity of the triune God, three yet one
God is unique, he is the one and only in his class
God is good, he expresses goodness to his creation
God is love, he is loving in all his ways, God’s love is eternal, holy and free
God is gracious, generously giving us the things, we don’t deserve
God is merciful, kindly holding back what we do deserve
God is Spirit, the purest and highest personality, not a force or bound by space, heart and mind
God has always known everything immediately, he is omniscience
God is wise, seen most clearly in his creation and the gospel
God is true, trustworthy and faithful
God is patient, long suffering with his creation
God is holy, this is his very nature, morally perfect, glorious and set apart
God is righteous as the judge of all creation
God’s wrath is holy, Our God is a consuming fire
God is Sovereign, the one in control and the king who rules over all
God’s power and strength is without limit
God’s will is free, his commanded will is clear, his decreed will can shall come to pass, God speaks
Our God is a holy, loving, powerful and faithful God
Psalms 136 CEB
1 Corinthians 1:9
2 Thessalonians 3:3
So our experience with him tells us what he is like but beyond that, through the names and titles given to him in the Bible we can be sure of his character
Adonai: God is the Lord and owner of everything, his authority knows no bounds. Habakkuk 3:19
El: God is the strongest one. Exodus 15:2
El Elohe Yisrael: The God of Israel, The God of his own people. Psalm 106:48
El Elyon: God is the Most High Sovereign, we can appeal to no great court. Daniel 4:34
Elohim: God is the one and only Creator. Genesis 1:1-3
El Olam: The Everlasting, Eternal God, what he does stands forever. Genesis 21:33
El Roi: The God who sees and knows all. Psalm 139:7-12
El Shaddai: The all sufficient God, the source of every blessing. Psalm 90:2
Jehovah-Jireh: God the great provider, supplying our needs. Psalm 23
Jehovah-Mekaddishkem: The God who is holy and sanctifies with his own holiness. 1 Peter 1:15-16
Jehovah-Nissi: God is our banner, the one who leads us in tot victory. Deuteronomy 20:3-4
Jehovah-Rapha: God our great Healer. Psalm 103:3
Jehovah-Rohi: God, the Good and Great Shepherd of his sheep. John 10:14-18
Jehovah-Sabaoth: The God of Heaven’s Armies, Lord of the mighty hosts of angles. 1 Samuel 17:45
Jehovah-Shalom: God our Peace. Hebrews 13:20-21
Jehovah-Shammah: The God who is present with us, Immanuel. Matthew 28:20
Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The God who imputes Righteousness to us. 2 Corinthians 5:21
YHWH: The Great IAM, The God Who is and stands forever faithful. Exodus 3:14
General: God reveals, teaches, delivers, heals, saves, raises to life, redeems, ransoms, indwells, empowers, hears, answers, commands and forgives
Focus: God has spoken, God has come, God is here
2 Corinthians 1:20
Romans 8:32
1 Corinthians 15:26
Speak about the experience of suffering with Vertigo. Parallel with Spiritual Vertigo.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Looking unto Jesus
I’ve not blogged for a while, need to get more disciplined with that… again.
Towards the end of last year I preached a message on Faith, what it is and why it so important in the life of a believer. The message is available here.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
There was a lot of confirmation with messages from our Pastors after this message and Faith has become a bit of a theme for us in 2019.
The first message I preached this year was also about Faith but I’ll post about that one tomorrow.
At the end of last month, I was asked to preach at our church in an Evening Service. When I prayed and asked God what I should talk about he led me to simply take us back to basics and talk about the Gospel, looking at what it is and why it makes a difference. There was a lot of confirmation with the message preached in the morning and I felt the Spirit of God while delivering the truth about the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.
You can see or hear it here including the slides used for your reference, I hope it’s a blessing to you.
I have not blogged for a while, we have been busy moving home again… like we did this time last year. Just before moving I was asked to share a message with the church in our evening service. I felt led to share about the whole subject of Sojourner Living which was a striking confirmation of the morning Sermon which I missed due to Sunday School duties.
You can watch the message here, I hope it helps you to be a better Sojourner.
Today is a big milestone for me, I’ve left the 30s behind and hit the big four o. I’m thanking God for his goodness to me over the years, I really feel blessed and know everything that happens in my life is by His grace and mercy.
My wife, Michelle really pulled the wool over my eyes with a lot of help from my brothers, sister and some very special friends. I was led to believe we were going to keep it low key with a restaurant booked for me, Michelle, Hope and Josh in the evening… I was going out with my friend Mike to Surbiton Raceway for Go Karting in the afternoon and would be back in time… but that was a rouse to get me out of the way…well played.
Go Karting was amazing, it was so cool to see my Cousin Phabian there… had no idea he was joining us… also had no idea that the birthday boy had to wear a pink jumpsuit… breaking all kina man rules.
Turns out Michelle and Chris had arranged for a large group of men, all family and friends to be waiting to surprise me at the church where I thought me and Mike were just dropping something off. I was blown away and really feel blessed.
Thanking God for a great evening and for the amazing family and friends he has given me.
I got a Card with the following scripture, which is so true. Take time to delight in God and all he has blessed you with today.
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;” (Psalm 37:23, ESV)
Today is International Women’s Day. A day to celebrate Women and thank God for their lives.
My Grandmother on my Mum’s side just turned 88 and has been an inspiration to so many. She is a Widow now but continues to work as a Minister in the church her and Grandad have run in the community for so many years.
My mum never gave up on us despite many disruptive and difficult years, mum kept praying for our salvation and God heard and answered her prayer.
My wife Michelle is one of the strongest, sharpest and most beautiful women I know (yes I’m biased). She continues to be an amazing ambassador for Christ, loving daughter, wife and mum. My life would be seriously diminished without her.
When I wrote Sacred Places I dedicated it to the co-founder of our church who we affectionately call Mother Greenidge. She has left an amazing legacy and is a true place maker.
There are so many more women in my life who I thank God for including my Sister Cheryl who became a Doctor against all the odds, my Mother-in-law Maria who always puts others first, my sister in laws Danielle and Nicole who have been a blessing to our family and Reverend Taylor who has been a huge encouragement, example and teacher in Christ.
There are even more who I do not know that we should be grateful for too. Let the women in your life know what they mean to you… not just today… make love and appreciation for each other a regular part of your life.
As Jesus taught us in John 13:34–35 let us love one another.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
March is here. The last month of the first quarter has begun. When a month is coming to an end it usually triggers my mind to think about productivity and tangible results from my efforts at work and in the rest of life with family and ministry.
Yesterday I released my second short book of 2018. It’s based on a message I delivered about Jesus earlier in February. You can pick up a copy from Amazon today… just in time for world book day.
I want to encourage you to be more than a consumer, to actually go and make stuff. Do something, be a culture maker by producing rather than only consuming. Do not be crippled by trying to do something big or perfect…just do something as God leads you to bring him glory and bless the world around you.
For the month of March commit to being a fruitful servant of God in this good world he has created.
Looking at Jesus, part 5 of 5. What is our response to Jesus?
We pray in the name of Jesus. it is in the power and authority of his name that we can pray to God the Father and have confidence that God will hear and answer our prayers. See John 14:13–14 ESV and John 15:16 ESV
When you are in trouble and need you can call on the name of Jesus. These are so many times in my life where I have called on his name and he has come to my rescue. See Philippians 2:9–11 ESV
Turn your thoughts towards Jesus. Studies like this one can help you but also just taking time to think about what you have read in the Bible and who Jesus is will be really beneficial. Take time to listen to your Pastors when they preach and then go away and think about what you have heard.
If you are battling with negative, unproductive thoughts, stop and think about God and his Word. See Hebrews 12:2 ESV and Hebrews 3:1–2 ESV
It is in the name of Jesus that we sing praises to God, don’t just wait till you get to Church, praise the name of Jesus today. See Ephesians 5:18–21 ESV
This is the final post in the series. If you want to see the message these posts were based on you can see it below.
https://subsplash.com/+f10d/embed/mi/+p7f7wn4?video&audio&info&embeddable&shareable
Place Makers 