Posted by: pastorapbell | February 13, 2012

What are the building blocks that we need to ensure that we live a long and meaningful life?

Our hearts are saddened by the sudden and tragic death of the fantastic singer Whitney Houston. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the bereaving family and friends that remain. This is yet another superstar that has been cut down in their prime. Although they gave so much pleasure to so many people, many of those who are billed as stars had real problems in their private lives.  For me there is no dichotomy between the private and public sphere. How we operate inside must tally up with how we behave outside. This is why we cannot accommodate both the virtues and the vices in our lives and hope to demonstrate how to live a life that is pleasing to God and those we live to serve. Hence our private worlds must be ordered. Irrespective of our past, we are mandated to live lives that are pleasing to our God and father. So we are encouraged by the writer of Colossians 3:8 to jettison vices such as anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from our mouths. And put on and embrace and clothe ourselves with virtues such as: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, v.12.  Notice that the writer, Apostle Paul juxtaposes five vices against five virtues. And so we must juxtapose our public behaviour with what we do behind closed doors. In our church service yesterday a little lad was giving his testimony of how the Lord helped him overcome the fear to read in public and sandwiched between his words he kept saying “God is not asleep”, “God is not asleep.” For us to live a long and prosperous life, we need to remember:-

1God is not asleep

  1. Our steps should be ordered by the Lord
  2. This is only done when we allow the principles written in his word to permeate all areas of our lives, both private and public.

So live a life that is transparent and visible and a real example to those coming behind. Read Colossians 3.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | February 6, 2012

as we order our private lives (II)

Yahweh is a God of order as is seen in the creation narrative.  Firstly He created light and separated it from the darkness (Gen. 1:3). This indicates to me that for each and every one of us to get our personal worlds in an orderly fashion, we must come into the light so that all the darkness in us can disappear. Secondly, he separated what is above from what goes below and created the sky and the earth. It was only after these systems were in place that the vegetation, the fruit trees, plants and then animals were allowed to populate and cover the face of the earth. And finally humanity was created to manage, give oversight to and regulate the whole ecology of the earth. However for the created order to be maintained, each individual must first recognise that their own body is a microcosm of the entire system created by Yahweh. Unless we are able to manage our own physical, emotional and spiritual systems then how can we manage our own families, churches and communities.  Obviously once our children reach a certain age they are no longer our responsibilities. However we are called to put in place a system that will give them the necessary tool to carry and pass on the baton. So the apostle Paul asked the question, how can someone take care of the church of God if they cannot take care of their own family (1Tim 3:5)?  And how can you take care of your family if you cannot take care of your own body? Diet, exercise and copious amounts of rest, allows the body to renew and reconstitute its cells on a regular basis. Reading the word and about the word allows our minds to be renewed on a daily basis. Fasting, praying and worshipping the only God, Yahweh, through his only son Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit allows our spirits to awaken and come alive.  Order starts with getting my body fit for purpose. Today how is your health? Are all parts of you healthy? Start your exercise by reading 1Tim 2.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | February 3, 2012

as we re-order our private lives!

As we get ourselves in shape and re-order our lives and our priorities, we will experience new and exciting things this year. The initial push and pull and the effort that needs to be expended will eventually be rewarded. Initially it does not seem as if things are happening and we can get frustrated and give up on the vision given to us, but as we hold on and trust the Lord relentlessly we will see the great things promised to us come to pass. The weather system gives us an indication of what is to come. One minute it is cold and frosty, then suddenly the wind direction changes and warmer air is blown across our vista and everything takes on a different mood. As the Lord repositions us and re-orders our relationships, our associations and our finances, we are being pulled towards more and more reliance on him. In Previous years, if our hope was in our own abilities and our faith was in the things that could be seen, then this year will be a wake-up call for us. God is changing the fault lines.

What was seen will be done away with and what was unseen will become visible. We are encouraged to remember that without faith it is impossible to please God, and if you dare to come to him, you must do so by first believing that He is, and that He exists and that all things that are seen were spoken into being by Him. This can be a tall one to believe and a hard pill to swallow. However, if we are bold enough to believe this and brave enough to follow the leading of the Lord, then we will see great and wonderful things this year. It was in the spring of 1912 that Marcus Garvey arrived in England on a banana boat to see what life was like for people of colour, and amazingly 100 years on, issues surrounding racism are still uppermost in the media with the captain of the national football team allegedly calling the brother of his fellow defender unsavoury names.   But remember that this year will be a year of great transformation. The hearts of fathers will once again turn back to their children and as a nation Britain will once again call out to the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy. So get yourself in order, re-order you private life and make the king of the universe your first port of call every day. If you dare, read Hebrews 1.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | February 1, 2012

as we construct the walls of our house of faith

As we start a New Year as with the start of anything new, it is imperative that we start by laying a good foundation. Not that we are again laying the foundation for our faith. This has already been laid by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the chief corner stone of our faith. It is he who was rejected by the religious crowd of his day and it is he who became the foundation stone on which the gospel of salvation and truth is predicated. This year will be a momentous year for all of us. The world is changing as God’s order kicks in all over the globe. People in every part of the planet are facing the same or similar issues and the only release from these issues is to put our faith fully in Christ Jesus. The global financial meltdown reminds us that the writer of Psalm 118 got it right, viz; ‘it is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in man’, KJV.  The schemes of humanity will fail you, but the word of the Lord is sure and will stand for ever. And be assured that forever is a very long time. So if I were to make a resolution for the coming eleven months it would be this: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths; an ancient sage and writer of Proverbs 3.   Your greatest days are ahead of you, stay focussed in 2012.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | December 30, 2011

as we prepare for the cross over

May the sovereign Lord, the God of the whole earth bless you. May he make His glorious face shine on you and your household. May He protect you with and by His great name that is above every name on earth and under heaven. May he remember all your offerings and regards with favour all the sacrifices you have made over the years. May He grant you your heart’s desire and fulfil all your plans in 2012. And we who are looking on will shout for joy because of what the Lord has done and will say it is indeed marvellous in our sight.  May the LORD of host be with you throughout 2012 and may the God of Jacob be your refuge and strength and a very present help in times of trouble. And remember this: because you have made the most high your dwelling place no weapon formed against your will prosper this year, and every tongue that rises against you in judgement will be silenced.  The Blessing is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, may your inheritance mature in this coming year.

My household, my wife Marva and my children Bless you.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | December 23, 2011

as we reflect on the real reason for the season!

Jesus came so that he could fulfil the prophetic words as spoken about the great deliverer who would come. Having arrived as a vulnerable infant, Jesus grew up in turmoil and uncertainty so that one day he could die for the sin of humanity. At the time of Jesus’ birth the enemy was after him. Like Moses at his birth, an edict was sent out to destroy him, but he found refuge in Egypt and returned after a while to grow up as a tender plant in the arid land of Nazareth. His sole purpose was to fulfil this pronouncement: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified (Isaiah 61:1-3).” Although the whole world has become blinded by commercialism, Jesus is still binding up broken hearts and setting captives free. So if you are feeling overwhelmed by all the hype and the festivities, remember that Jesus is still available to bring comfort, peace and joy to your heart. Read Isaiah 61 & Luke 4:18&19.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | December 22, 2011

as we look back to the future!

For over 800 years the people of God were waiting and hoping that their deliverer would come. During this elongated time many people came and pretended that they were the great deliverer who was promised. What is amazing that people really believed that their Messiah would come and fulfil all that was spoken about him.  When the Magi’s arrived in Judea searching for the new born king, they knew something seismic had occurred and wanted to witness it. Eight hundred year before, Isaiah spoke about these events and described exactly what would take place. This is what he said: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).” “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.  You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.  For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;  and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore.  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this (Isaiah 9:2-7).

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.  And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.  The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:1-9). At different times he confirmed that this servant of the Lord would transform the whole earth. And because of what he did, the whole earth is aware of Jesus, although many still don’t know him!

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Posted by: pastorapbell | December 17, 2011

as we believe the word of the LORD spoken by his angel!

Luke the physician gives an interesting account of the birth of Jesus. In the run up to the announcement of the miraculous birth of Jesus the angel of the Lord appeared to Zachariah as he was offering up incense to the Lord in the holies of holies. His fellow believers were outside praying whilst he was also praying and making the offering. The angel of the Lord, Gabriel appeared to him and declared to him that what he was praying for would come to pass (Luke 1:8ff). That is, his wife would give birth to a child and that he was to be called John.  This is a real lesson for us for as we shall see. Although Zachariah had been praying for years for a child to succeed him, he really did not believe that God would come through for him as he was now an old man. Nevertheless he remained faithful serving God in his capacity as a priest in the house of the Lord. When he heard the good news, he questioned the angel and explained to him all reasons why this could not happen. I am old and my wife is old. She had been barren for a long time. Not since the time of Sarah has anything like this happened. Well Zac, the God of Abraham is still the same God yesterday, today and tomorrow. And as he told Moses, he is the ‘I am’, not the ‘I was’ or the ‘I will be’. He is the’ I am’, the God of the now.  As a sign for his unbelief Zachariah was struck dumb until the prophetic word was fulfilled and Elizabeth his wife had given birth to the baby boy, John.

On the contrary, when Mary was told by Gabriel that as a virgin she would have a baby boy, her response was, “OK Lord, be it unto me according to your word” and so it was (Luke 1:38).  My encouragement to you is this, if God has given you a promise through his messenger, a man from God, believe him and do not circumvent it with the words of your mouth. For as the angel Gabriel said to Mary, it may seem impossible to you, but with God all things are possible (Luke 2:37 paraphrased). Read Luke 1:1-38.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | December 15, 2011

as we look on in awe at the greatness of the LORD!

Prophetic Word: Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Fulfilment: This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).  Today, God is with us and in all of us who choose to accept him as Lord and Saviour. Read Isaiah 7:14-16, Isaiah 9:6-7 & Matt 1:18-23.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | December 14, 2011

as we embrace the prophetic!

As we look forward to advent, that is the coming to our world of Jesus the God-man, we must be aware of a few things. Jesus coming to us was God’s idea and not ours. He came with a specific mandate and that was to save his people from their sins (Matt 1:21b), by binding up the broken hearted and releasing those held captive from the prison bars of Satan (Isa 61:1). The Old Testament is replete with prophecies about the coming Messiah and each of these prophetic utterances was fulfilled to the letter. There are over 300 OT prophecies fulfilled in the New Testament by Jesus of Nazareth and two eminent American scientists (Professors Peter W. Stoner & Robert C. Newman) have calculated the odds of fulfilling just eight of them as 1 in 1017 which is 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000.  When Jesus arrived on earth, it was not with the fanfare of trumpets, fireworks and royal pageantry, but in a disused shed surrounded by animals and smelly shepherds who were invited to attend by a host of angelic beings. The whole host of heaven had lined up to welcome the Messiah, with the brightest star pointing anyone who cared to take notice to the exact position of the new king of glory. Today, Christmas is just another festival when people give presents, others get drunk and still others use it as a time for spending what they do not have. For those who have seen the light, just as the wise men did, Jesus beckons you to come away from the hype and the hustle and bustle and seek him out. For all those who seek will find him and all those who are bound will be set free and then the real purpose for the season will become the reality in your life.  Ream Matthew 2.

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