Posted by: pastorapbell | August 21, 2012

as we progress on the road towards total wholeness by being conscientised

Once we have started the process towards wholeness, there comes a time in our lives when the penny drops. This is the time when I realise that life does not revolve around me, my destiny is indelibly linked to that of others and the decisions I make impacts those in my immediate circle and those of my future. This is the time when we actually realise that we are a part of a bigger movement, and it really does matter what we do. How we operate matters and what we do really does change the perception of others.  This is also the time when we realise that doing nothing is not an option. Our rhetoric must have a meaningful outcome rather than being just words. As Paulo Freire says, ‘words without action is mere verbalism’ and ‘action without reflection is mere activism’.

It is at this time when our attitude changes and we believe that we must do something for others rather than just living for ourselves as we once did.  Our spiritual, emotional and physical eyes are open and we can see the bigger picture. With the removal of the scales, our words are ‘backed up’ by our actions, and we are able to reflect on those actions critically. We are being conscientised. The journey continues and each individual now realises that as part of the kingdom of God we are responsible for its expansion and looking after our fellow members. Conscientisation is defined as:

“the process of developing a critical awareness of one’s social reality through reflection and action. Action is fundamental because it is the process of changing the reality. Paulo Freire says that we all acquire social myths which have a dominant tendency, and so learning is a critical process which depends upon uncovering real problems and actual needs.” Learning about God is a vital part of our development for impacting the world we live in. Are you making an impact where you live?

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 20, 2012

as we develop our auditory tract and learn the art of listening to the Holy Spirit (part 4)

Whilst on the isle of Patmos we were surrounded by a cacophony of different sounds. We were on a Greek island staying Greek in a hotel with a clientele from many different countries. We heard French, Italian, Greek and other eastern European languages. The difficulty we had was knowing what was being said and how to respond if we were directly addressed.

This is a major problem one faces when one approaches God and have no idea of the methodology that he uses to communicate with those who want to hear from him. What is his language, how does he speak and more importantly how do we listen to him?

To hear from God dictates that we have gone through the first two steps on the road towards total wholeness, that is, we have humbled ourselves and have asked Jesus to immerse us in his spirit. This process enlivens our spirit and connects us to God. Jesus tells us that God is a spirit and those who worships or connects with him, must do so in the spirit (John 4:24). That is, we cannot connect to spirit unless we enter into the spiritual realm. The question many people fail to get an answer to, is how do we enter into the spiritual realm so that we can listen to and hear from God the Holy Spirit? Again Jesus gives us the tools to do this. Whilst with his disciples, he often referred to their ‘little faith’ (see Matt 16:8), although they believed him to be the Messiah or the Christ, their faith seldom went beyond this. Jesus was teaching them and us, that by listening to and following the Holy Spirit one is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can think or even imagine. Listening to the Holy Spirit dictates that we spend time reading and meditating on the word. The Job of the Holy Spirit is to reveal more and more of the nature of Jesus to us. And as we take on more and more of Jesus’ attributes we become fully human and our spirit comes now alive and we are able to keep in step with what the Holy Spirit is doing in our locality and in the wider world. There are many voices in the spiritual atmosphere, however only that voice that points you toward Jesus is that of the Holy Spirit so listen to Him and hear what he is saying to you today.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 17, 2012

as we devise a plan and implement it (Pt3)

The ability to submit to another’s will is the ultimate as an expression of humility. This is what is required of those whose intention it is to follow Jesus whole-heartedly. So what does it mean to submit to the will of God. Firstly, we must know and understand what the will of God is corporately and individually. So let us see what scripture says about the will of God.  Jesus told his hearers that, his sole intention in life was to do the father’s will (John 4:34). Now the will of an individual is defined as “the intent or intention of that individual”. The will of God then is His intention or desire for humanity. After the fall and the downward spiral of humanity towards hell and the total separation from his creator, Yahweh devised a plan that required obedience and sacrifice. The intention of God has never changed. He desires relationship and intimacy with us his creation, but our desire must be the same also. When Jesus was here physically, he taught his followers to pray thus: Father let your kingdom come and let your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven, (Luke 11:1-4). Jesus ushered in the kingdom of God, that is, God’s way of doing things. However, for his intentions to be carried out we must submit to his way of doing things. That is, we must allow his will to be done here among us. In a nutshell then, how do we do that?

The apostle Paul reminds us that God’s initial will for all of humanity is that ‘we all should be filled with the Spirit’ (Ephesians 5:17). It is this process that allows the individual to submit to God. By doing this, our behaviour, attitude and relationships with our fellow men drastically changes. We are then no longer driven by how we feel or by the desires of our hearts, but by what God say through Jesus Christ his son, the logos. Henceforth we do not operate in a legalistic manner like the ancient Israelites did, but have a tangible living relationship with risen lord Jesus Christ who brings transformation to us on a daily basis.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 8, 2012

as we devise a plan and implement it (part 2)

The second stage on the road towards total wholeness is for the individual to be baptised in Holy Spirit. Now there seems to be a lot of confusion when it comes to the baptism of or in the Holy Spirit. This in not some esoteric experience to be attained by the ‘chosen few’, not is it a Nirvana experience. This is a pre-requisite for all those who want to be an integral part of the kingdom of God and not just church members. So how is the individual baptised and by whom?

Firstly, let us turn to the scripture to answer these questions. During his ministry John the cousin of Jesus, preached repentance in the wilderness and hundreds of people came, confessed their sin and were baptised by him in water. Whilst ministering there he made this declaration in answer to their question about whether or not he was the Messiah: “I baptise with water, among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.”  The scripture states that the next day Jesus came to be baptised by John and the spirit of revelation and wisdom came upon John who exclaimed: “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me (God the Father) to baptise with water said to me, the one on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit” (John 1:26-34). Matthew adds “baptises with Holy Spirit and fire” in his gospel (Matt 3:11).

This was fulfilled 50 after Jesus ascended to heaven on the day of Pentecost as recorded by Dr. Luke in Acts 2. The disciples of Jesus were in one place on one accord when Jesus the baptiser came and baptised everyone who was in that upper room, all 70 of them in Holy Spirit which was evidenced by tongues of fire  (Acts 2:1-4). Now I am aware that there is also contention about speaking in tongues and whether it is the initial evidence of Holy Spirit baptism. I am also aware that this is a huge topic and cannot be broached here, but suffice it to say that the apostle Paul tells us that there are two types of tongues, tongues or the language of angels and that of human beings (1Cor 13). Whilst speaking the speaker is totally oblivious to the language he is speaking it is the hearer who makes the distinction as on the day of Pentecost.

Being baptised in Holy Spirit by Jesus is for every believer; however, because of miss-information and fear many believers neglect this baptism and live on the edge of the kingdom of God. Today if you have repented and have received the baptism unto repentance in water, pray this prayer: Dear Jesus, would you please come and baptise me in Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in the tongues of men and of angels?  Please read the scriptures in the text.

 

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 6, 2012

as we devise a plan and implement it

After the fall of humanity from grace, God devised a plan for the total restoration of humanity to complete wholeness. Jesus implemented the plan and opened a door so that everyone alive on the planet can gain access. The problems we face on a local, regional and national basis is how to implement the plan. Furthermore there is a whole section of humanity who live for today, seemingly aloof of the provision made by God through Jesus Christ.

This is my attempt to crystallise the plan for total restoration into a point by point easy to follow scheme. This is the outline of a twelve point plan which starts with the most fundamental trait that every individual needs to implement:- humbleness of heart, baptism in Holy Spirit, submitting to the will of God, listening to the Holy Spirit, being conscientised, renewal of the mind, forgiveness, repentance, deliverance, healing, restoration and restitution.  I believe that the implementation of this plan will enable the individual to be totally restored. Read Proverbs 22:4, 11:2;15:22 and18:12-22. In Proverbs 22:4 the writer reminds us that humility, the first step on this ladder towards total restoration, and the fear of the Lord yields riches, honour and long life.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | July 19, 2012

as we clean up our minds with the blood of the lamb!

So what is sanctification? Well it is the cleansing that one goes through so that they can be presented as clean. We have all been soiled by the stain of sin. And this stain cannot be removed by the blood of bulls and turtle doves. Under the old covenant (OT), men used the blood of animals to atone for the sin committed over the period of a year. However, like all human being, once we are preoccupied with the issues of life, we soon forget the sin that we committed yesterday and repeat it ad infinitum. Because of this, God devised a new method to deal with this propensity to continually sin. He offered his one and only son as an eternal sacrifice and made provision for his blood to be continually applied to our consciences so that we can be cleansed on a daily basis rather than once every year. This is the process of sanctification. Therefore, Jesus tells his followers, you are clean by my words (John 15:3). Moreover, if we walk in the light of the word, then the blood of Jesus will cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:7). The process of sanctification is an ongoing one that requires a conscious effort on our part. So how are you doing? What portion of his word are you standing on today?  Read Hebrews 9 and apply the blood of the paschal lamb, Jesus to every area of your Christian walk today.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | July 14, 2012

as we hear the word of the Lord, apply it and find freedom!

As the prophet of the Lord, John outlines the next phase in the revelation of God to humanity. As we recall, the prophet Amos tells us that God does nothing without revealing his secrets to his prophets first (Amos 3:7). Therefore, the Lord tells John that he should go down to the river and baptise all those who hear the message of repentance and accept it. The Lord also tells him that ‘the one on whom he see the Spirit of the Lord descend on and remain is the one who will baptise his followers with Holy Spirit (v.33b). Having set out the major themes for the redemption of humanity, John identifies God among us as his bearded cousin from a small town on the outskirts of Galilee called Nazareth. John’s hearers were liberated from slavery over 2000 years before and from Babylonian captivity for over 400 years before. Yet they still disobeyed and disbelieved God and the people he sent to warm them to turn from wickedness. As john says, they were a stiff-necked lot who worked against each other rather than working together for the greater good.

John’s message is still relevant to our communities today. There are many among us who still exhibit the slavery mindset although we have accepted and responded to the message of repentance. There is more after repentance. We need to go through sanctification, which is done by the word and then the glorification stage, which is done by the Spirit.

So today, can I be free to be me? Yes but only through the work done by Jesus Christ on the cross! Read St John 1:35-51.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | July 13, 2012

as we develop ourselves to reflect the unity that there is in diversity

The development of the self is a paradox that faces every Christian believer and it is one of the most important things for any individual to do. Although we recognise that, we are individuals, we are also part of a greater body, the body of Christ. In his gospel, John made some astonishing claims and observations. Although many of the themes and motifs are highlighted by other authors in the bible consider the following:

In his opening remarks, he tells his readers in no uncertain terms that the God he is talking about is an everlasting God whose existence is eternal, as the Father, Son and Spirit (vv. 1-4). This statement tells us that this triune God was active in the creation narrative and is revealed to us now so that we can have a personal relationship with him.

The second theme he introduces us to is that of the incarnation (vv. 10-14). God becoming like us so that he can expunge from us the thing that caused the separation way back in Eden, namely sin. The next theme he addresses is that of the potency of the prophetic word (v.15, 19). Here John is the prophet speaking as enabled by the Holy Spirit of things that he did not see until revealed by God.  He reminds us that the period of law written on tablet of stones was over and the era of grace and truth was being ushered in (v.17).

However, although we are n Christ, that is, we are ‘saved’ by grave by putting our faith totally in the anointed one, Jesus.  We still need to be delivered from our past and the issues that keeps us in bondage and stops us developing beyond salvation. Read St John 1:1-34.

 

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Posted by: pastorapbell | June 29, 2012

as we underpin our words by our praxis, that is what we do!

Personal development starts in the mind. If you want to become something you must first visualise yourself in that role doing that thing. It was Paulo Freire who stated; “action without reflection is mere activism, that is, acting without thinking; and reflection without action is verbalism.” If we act without thinking about how and what we are doing, then our achievement will be severely limited. On the contrary, if we talk a lot and do nothing then we are just full of hot air. Verbalism is an empty word, word without action, and transformation cannot happen with action. Transformation is also impossible with activism, because without reflection, there can be no commitment to transformation, it is empty action. With action and reflection you get praxis, which enables transformation to take place.

We develop by going through the cycle of action and reflection. Doing and thinking about what we have done and then thinking through how we can do it better next time. This approach allows us to develop and grow up into what we were designed to be.

The apostle Paul puts it like this: “And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins. In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].

But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:1-8 edited and abridged Amplified Version.

To develop is to be delivered so that our words and actions can reflect the image of the invisible God.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | June 28, 2012

as we look at personal and professional development

At the heart of every leader should be the desire to see people develop. Personal development is ‘part and parcel’ of the move from ordinary to extra-ordinary, from fear to faith and from a follower to a great leader. Let us take a look at the apostle Peter. Prior to Pentecost, he was an angry, violent man who was subject to fits of rage and petulance. He also proved that he was disrespectful of authority and when the chips were down, he was a coward at heart (see Matt 26).

Although he was a good businessman who provided for his family, he had never been delivered from the traits handed down to him. However, he left the fishing business he ran and went back to school with Jesus the master prophet/teacher for three years. After graduation, he still had flaws in his character that needed attention. He experienced the Pentecostal outpouring and gave a speech on the morning after the night before that has gone down in the annals of biblical history. The fisherman who was to become a fisher of men and one of the pillars of the New Testament church, still had flaws. He was still legalistic with a religious spirit (see Acts 10). He was also a prejudiced Jew with a superiority complex (see Galatians 2) who needed further deliverance after almost twenty years in church leadership.

Peter’s continued professional development is a model for all those whose desire it is to lead others. He got it wrong on several occasions. He opened his mouth and sometimes the wrong words came out. However, because of the grace of God at work in him, he was able to take correction from a junior apostle, Paul in Galatians 2, wrote two fantastic books and was at the start of a movement that now encompasses 1/3 of the world’s population of 7 billion. So you want to be a leader eh, then you will need CPD, continued personal deliverance! Start yours today. Ask Jesus  to reveal to you the areas in your life that needs attention.

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