Posted by: pastorapbell | May 2, 2010

As we move to eliminate impaired immunity that brings on the Marasmas Syndrome

But now you must stop doing such things. You must quit being angry, hateful, and evil. You must no longer say insulting or cruel things about others. And stop lying to each other. You have given up your old way of life with its habits. Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better (Colossians 3:8-10 CEV).

Our bodies are made up of billions of cells that grow, divide, and then die in a predictable manner. Cancer occurs when something goes wrong with this system, causing uncontrolled cell division and growth. Cancer cells lump together and form a mass of extra tissue, also known as a tumour, which continues to grow. As it grows, it may damage and invade nearby tissue.

The immune system of the body protects the individual from all types of diseases. The blood is the most important constituent of the human body. If any of the components of the blood system becomes diseased then the whole body is in trouble. For most of us a simple act of changing our diet or taking additional supplements can avert or remove threats from our system and allow us to live a fully functional life avoiding the onset of cancer.

However, certain types of impairments cannot be easily rectified by medicines or supplements and must be controlled or lived with.

For us as Christians, we are members of the body of Christ, and as such are linked to one another like the cells of the human body. If for any reason we grow in an uncontrollable manner and become divisive rather than cohesive, i.e. we always cause confusion, we become like a cancerous cell and allow immune deficiency in the body. This is why we are encouraged to eliminate the vices listed above which causes impaired immunity and allows the Marasmas syndrome to occur.

Today, you know what to get rid of!

Read Colossians 3

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Posted by: pastorapbell | May 1, 2010

As we implement a plan to avert the muscle wasting effects of the Marasmas Syndrome

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (1Timothy 4:7-8 NIV).

Atrophy is the term that describes the wasting away of the muscles of the body. It normally occurs because of aging but can occur due to a number of other diseases that impedes the development of the muscles. Abuses of such things as: alcohol, tobacco and drugs and diseases such as diabetes, motor neuron disease and tuberculosis all affect the muscles in our bodies. Typically, lack of exercise can cause the muscles to waste away so that the individual develops the disease.

The apostle Paul writing to timothy reminds us that bodily exercise has some use, but eventually the body will waste away as the aging process sets in. However this does not mean that we should stop exercise, on the contrary keep exercising as long as you can but you cannot avert the aging process.  For the believer, spiritual exercise should be an on-going process so that you can develop your spiritual muscles. If these are not exercised with daily routine of prayer, reading and worship then atrophy can set in and you can develop the Marasmas syndrome.

To avoid this debilitating disease, develop a daily routine and stick to it.

Read 1 Timothy 4

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 30, 2010

As we implement a plan to overcome the Marasmas Syndrome

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good (1Peter 2:1-3 NIV).

Growth retardation is a serious problem. If a baby fails to develop properly then every area of their life will be affected. For natural babies paediatricians try to catch any indication of these effects while the foetus is developing.

There are many things that a parent does that can affect the unborn child. It is a proven fact that smoking and taking drugs such as cannabis whilst pregnant affects the size of the infant. Once born however, the baby needs a regular intake of nutrients, proper care and attention. If the infant is not given the physical, emotional and spiritual attention they need then their growth will be inhibited and they will be affected in one of these crucial areas. They will become a MARASMAS baby.

Similarly if a spiritual baby is not getting the correct doses of spiritual food each day or the spiritual food has little or no nutrients, then that baby will not develop and grow but will become retarded. To avert this condition Peter encourages each ‘born again’ believer to develop a craving for the ‘sincere milk’ of the word. This is the only way the Marasmas syndrome can be avoided. Become greedy for the milk and ensure that the breasts you are feeding from have a good healthy supply. Avoid spiritual mothers and fathers who have deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander and so on in their spiritual blood stream. Ask the Lord to send fully rounded and grounded people in your life so that you may grow into mature spiritual individuals.

So today if you want to grow and avoid becoming a Marasmas baby get into the word!

Read 1Peter 2.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 29, 2010

As we examine how the Marasmas Syndrome affects our developmental process

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand (Psalm 40:2 NIV)

The process of development requires reflection and an assessment of where one is coming from. Today I want to use the reflection of David to chart the process of an individual’s development and highlight some of the conditions that limit and inhibit development.

David stated that he waited patiently for the Lord to hear him from his desperate position at the bottom of a pit. He does not tell us why he was in the pit or what drove him to be in such a condition. So let me suggest some of the things that can prevent us from coming out of a situation like this.

There is a restrictive condition that stops an individual developing properly called the Marasmus Syndrome. This condition occurs when a new born baby fails to get the required nutrients, attention and affection. There are seven major symptoms displayed, which are:

Growth retardation

Muscle wasting

Impaired immunity

Lethargy

Vomiting

Delayed wound healing

Loss of fat stores

Some or all of these symptoms could ensure that you spend the majority of your life in a pit never being able to get to full potential. However, there are certain things that you can do to circumvent any or all of these conditions. Like David start the process of recovery by crying to the Lord. Moaning to others won’t help, it may get you sympathy but it will not get you out of your condition. The Marasmus Syndrome condition is serious and requires urgent attention. So use the appropriate medicine. Pray, read or listen to the word being read, and exercise every day. Develop a routine and stick to it so that you can overcome these debilitating diseases.

Read Psalm 40

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 28, 2010

As we dedicate the restored wall to the Lord

At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres (Nehemiah 12:27 NIV).

Having built, secured and made plans to maintain the restored wall, the time came for it to be dedicated it to the Lord. Although we built it, devised and implemented the plan to do it, we must recognise that it is the Lord’s overall purposes that prevailed (Prov. 19:21).

It was never God’s intention for the wall of protection to lie in ruins, but because of our disobedience, rebellion and stubbornness the enemy came in breached it and caused total chaos.  

Now the restored wall needed to be dedicated, this means that it is offered up to the Lord so that he will watch over and protect it. This is similar to the dedication of an infant. Obviously we are the ones that will look after the infant, but we will rely on God to guide and direct us by His Spirit.  The wall is just a wall, but the process of consecrating it ensures that a memorial is instituted and the consciousness of those present is impacted in such a way that they will not allow it to be ruined again.

Similarly, when we have rebuilt the walls around our relationships, our families and  our finances, we must consecrate them to the Lord. This means that we ask for his guidance and direction in all that we do. We always have the right to do what we want, but if we ask God for his input before we make major decisions then we will have great success. The process of dedication occurred with music played on many instruments, rejoicing, singing and dancing.

Today rejoice at what the Lord has done and praise him for what he has promised to do and thank him for his grace in choosing us to carry out his plans.

Read Nehemiah 12&13

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 27, 2010

As we make radical changes to our lifestyles

“The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighbouring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand- all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the LORD our Lord (Nehemiah 10:28-29 NIV).

The officials who bought into the restoration process all signed a binding agreement to obey and be guided by God’s laws. This is called a covenant which should only be broken by death, rather like a marriage. Then all the people agreed to abide by and implement all the radical changes.

These included: not marrying an unbeliever (being unevenly yoked, 2Cor 6:14), not merchandising on the day separated to God (keeping a day for family worship, Heb 10:25), becoming regular givers (tithing, giving 10% of your income regularly, Heb 7:2), not neglecting the assembling of themselves together (meeting at least once per week corporately, Acts 20:7) and so on.  All these things sound very familiar to us as Christians.  

What did you commit to when you decided to follow Jesus? Today, revisit your vow to the Lord and make the radical changes that the Lord requires, it will change your life!

Read Nehemiah 9:38-10:39.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 26, 2010

As the Joy of the Lord of the Lord is restored to us

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10NIV).

If one does not understand why they do something it makes it difficult to move forward so that you do not repeat previous mistakes. When the people heard the word being read and explained to them (8:8) they bowed their heads and with their faces to the ground they worshipped the Lord and repented.  They realised that that there were certain times in their history when God delivered them even though they did not deserve it.  And before fasting and praying, Nehemiah instructed them to go and eat and drink and share their food with those who could not afford to buy for the Joy of the Lord was their strength.

For the JOY of the Lord to become our strength we must exercise the spiritual discipline of fasting. However, before you go on a fast, it is imperative that you know what you are doing and why you are doing it for. There must be a reason for abstaining from food for a period of time. As we have learned, fasting and prayer gives us a deeper understanding of the word as God reveals his secrets to us. The spiritual disciplines of reading, fasting and prayer are the building blocks for a fruitful Christian life. Read the word with understanding, go to a place where you can hear it being explained [typically a church], apply the principles learned in context and receive blessings from the Lord. We cannot circumvent these; many of us want the blessings but do not want to make the sacrifices. 

The process of believing, repenting and confessing; being baptised in water and becoming a disciplined one is a must for everyone who follows Jesus (Matt 28:19&20).

Today, read the bible and ask the Lord for understanding as you read; worship with understanding also and allow the Joy of the Lord to become your strength.

Read Ezra’s prayer of confession for the sins of his ancestors in Nehemiah 9:6-37

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 25, 2010

As we apply the spiritual discipline of fasting to aid the restorative process

On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads (Nehemiah 9:1NIV).

The restorative process will not be maintained if the individual being restored is inactive. There must be a plan which needs to be executed. The people of Israel separated themselves from those who did not share their faith and came before the Lord with fasting, prayer and confession.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline which is easily abused. Many religious people recognise the need for fasting, prayer and a time to rejuvenate the spirit.  But sadly many neglect this discipline and others carry it out as a religious duty. Isaiah gives us an insight into the type of fast that we should embark on.

Fasting is setting aside a time when you refrain from eating your regular food and drinking your regular drinks. It is a time of separation to the Lord. There are many types of fasts: there is the Daniel fast, where you eat only fruit and vegetables for 21 days and pray for wisdom and revelation. Then there is the ‘Esther fast’ where you neither eat nor drink for three days to avert impending destruction, this is a dry fast and so on.

The purpose of any fast is to petition God so that his will be done. Many biblical characters fasted as a matter of course. Jesus would set aside regular times for fasting and prayer away from his disciples. Before he started his ministry, he fasted for 40 days and nights (Matt 4:1-2) so that he could resist temptation from the devil and perform the miraculous works of God.

Indeed Jesus told his disciples that certain kinds of demonic oppression and possession would not leave an individual unless there is prayer and fasting to dislodge them (Matt 17:21). This is an important tool in the armoury of the believer in Jesus and needs to be used as often as possible. John Wesley the founder of Methodism said that all his ministers should fast at least twice per week! He fasted every Wednesday and Friday. I wonder how many are still doing this.

Today pray and confess your faults, but plan a time for fasting so that God can reveal his secrets to you.

 Read Isaiah 58.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 24, 2010

As we celebrate new knowledge from the word of God and develop the restoration process

On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to give attention to the words of the Law (Nehemiah 8:13 NIV).

The importance of reading and understanding the word is vital. Having heard the word, the people were passionate to hear more so that they can do what God had instructed them to do.  Having done things their own for a long time and gone into captivity, there was a genuine desire to come back to God and do things his way.

God says: love the Lord with all your heart soul and mind (Deut 6:5) and love your neighbour as yourself. And Jesus added, seek first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness and everything will be added to you (Matt 6:33).

The problems we face when we do our own ‘thing’ are often compounded by the distance we move away from what God intended for us in the first place. The process of restoration involves repentance, a change of mind, deliverance, breaking with the things of the past and healing, making those parts that are wounded well again.

This only occurs when we allow the word of God to occupy first place in our lives. The psalmist wrote this: ‘you (God) have exalted your name and your word above everything’ (Psalm 138:2b). So as we read and apply the word to our lives we will see great transformation in every area of our daily walk.

So today, like the repentant Israelites, develop a passion for God’s word, the Holy Bible and take it in copious amounts daily.

Read Nehemiah 8:13-18

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Posted by: pastorapbell | April 23, 2010

As we take stock to maintain and substantiate the restoration

So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families (Nehemiah 7:5a).

To determine the way forward all of us need to take stock. This involves stopping what you are currently doing and making an assessment of what is required to go to the next level. You have done the difficult part in building and securing the wall. The next step is to ensure that what is inside those walls are maintained.  This can only occur when there is an environment of honesty and openness.  Everyone knew what the plan was; they knew the vision and were aware of what was required to fulfil it.  So they agreed with stock taking effort, gave into the building fund (7:71) and wanted to hear what God had to say about what they were doing.

The lesson for us today is this. Don’t go on and on year in year out without taking stock. Take some time off on your own, get away from the hustle and bustle of life and go and spend time by yourself with God. We will never maintain the original building unless we plan to give it a regular M.O.T.  This is the same for our relationships, prayer life, finances, families and friends. We need to take stock regularly, at least once per year, and fix the areas that are not so good and maintain those which are working. This will allow us to operate in the right area according to our gifting.

So today make a list, write down everything on the list, everything, develop a routine, ask God about it, and stick with it. 

Read Nehemiah 7:66-8:3.

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