Shaun Smit Ministries International

Trust Believe Faith 4

2012-02-01T20:55:00.000Z

Trust Believe Faith 3

2012-01-31T20:33:00.000Z

Trust Believe Faith 2

2012-01-30T20:05:00.000Z

Trust Believe Faith

2012-01-29T20:05:00.000Z

Welcome to another series of teaching of God's word.

In this series I am stirring up to fresh thinking to prompt you to look at some aspects of walking in the spirit and walking in victory and walking with the Lord.

We are in times and seasons that requires some fundamentals to be sharpened so we walk alert, prepared and self disciplined.

In Trust Believe Faith we are looking at aspects that really are different facets that are the same thing, but by distinguishing them we can understand how to apply them to our walk in the Lord.

Don't just think "I know that already!"

Let them be brought to your remembrance, to be refreshed, renewed and refocused.

Faith And The Spirit 3

2011-12-02T19:58:00.000Z

Faith And The Spirit 2

2011-11-30T19:30:00.000Z

This week we begin to look at some of the keys to being spiritual and walking in the spirit.
They are not exhaustive but are the foundations to a spiritual life.
Walking in the spirit is not a complex hard thing, actually very simple. What complicates it is our own ignorance due to an unrenewed mind regarding the realm of the heavenlies.

It will not suddenly be all understandable and fully operational in your life. But by discipline and application - being doers of what you hear - little by little every day here a bit there a bit you will become more and more conscious of and aware of the spiritual realm and become more and more skilled in how it functions and how you need to function in it to be most effective.

In His grace

Faith And The Spirit 1

2011-11-28T18:45:00.000Z

In The Fields Of The Fatherless

2011-11-24T22:51:00.001Z

This song Dave Ornellas wrote and sang was the revelation he showed me when I was just a young insecure pastor. He taught me and showed me what a true father was and should be.

He would share with me that the cry of his heart was:

"Lord give me sons to father, or I die!".

Thank God for raising spiritual fathers to father us to maturity.

Dave stepped into this revelation when it wasn't popular, but did it nonetheless with the skill of a master builder and doing it with an anointing that imparted a true sense of the Heavenly Fathers work in your life.

For 15 years I submitted as a son in the faith to this man that God brought into my life. Regardless of all that has happened in my life and ministry, the reason Iam here to day, still serving the Lord and ministering God's word, is because of the discipleship and ministry of this spiritual father in the faith who now worships in heaven.

A Great Tribute

2011-11-24T22:29:00.001Z

This tribute to a spiritual father, friend and leader is so appropriate.

Thanks to his son Danny for posting this on YouTube.

The season I was privileged to spend with him was a real honour, and a genuine process of growth.

Dave's unconditional love and acceptance was a healing and refreshing;

his passion and desire for God was infectious;

his soldout, steady and constant devotion to Jesus and His word was an inspiration;

his life was an example and model to follow.

He never drew men to himself but ardently desired and pursued the discipling of men for their maturity as sons of God to fulfil the purpose of God.

I am thankful to the Lord for the privilege of knowing Dave and his family and what they meant to me and my family.

Heavenly Minded Earthly Good 10Part2

2011-11-22T20:37:00.001Z

Heavenly Minded Earthly Good 10

2011-11-22T20:16:00.001Z

Heavenly Minded Earthly Good 9Part2

2011-11-21T15:39:00.001Z

Heavenly Minded Earthly Good 9

2011-11-21T15:22:00.001Z

Heavenly Minded Earthly Good 8 Part2

2011-11-20T16:36:00.001Z

Heavenly Minded Earthly Good 8

2011-11-20T13:57:00.001Z

This post is broken into 2 parts catch the next one after this!

Be Blessed

PS Please pray for my friend Danny who is trusting the Lord for full restoration and healing.

Heavenly Minded Earthly Good 7

2011-11-20T12:54:00.001Z

This is one of the teachings in this series and hopefully it works now.
There are one or two more and then we can get going again with some teaching from God's Word to encourage your faith.

Til next time

NEWS

2011-11-07T11:18:00.003Z

Hi
I apologise for the long delay of posts but we have been without internet for quite some time and needed to find the right one and then wait for them to send the necessary modems etc to get it all up and running. It also looks like here at blogspot there is a restriction on how much I can post.
All round it has been one challenge after another. It is obvious that the enemy does not want me to do this.
The beginning of this year, in fact on the 1st of January, I was sitting alone and praying about the New Year. It was not an easy time for me as both my older sons had left or were leaving home to go to other nations. I was also seeking the Lord as to what was next for my wife and I because we had already experienced so many changes that we needed the Lord's leading and direction for our lives.

The Lord's words to my heart was that there would be huge changes, shifts and challenges in the next 2 years - 2011, 2012.
His instruction to me was that I should inform the church and teach and encourage the church to walk by faith.
By the end of January this year the changes began as one nation after another began to have revolutions. It was and is only the beginning of things to come.
As i began to share what I have seen as the strategy of the Lord for these times, it seems that some do not even want to know or consider what is taking place.
However we have a responsibility to be aware of the times and prepare and make the necessary adaptions. The Lord has a plan and a strategy for our lives and it is essential we are walking in this for His grace, protection, and provision in the midst of the troubled times.

Acts 11:28
One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)
Acts 11:27-29 (in Context) Acts 11 (Whole Chapter)

I often wonder how Agabus as a prophet would be accepted in today's church.
Would the leaders wail this is too negative?
Would they say this cannot be uttered or the people may get the wrong idea?
Somehow we assume this cannot happen in today's church.

But 2 Timothy 3 says:
¹ But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

The fact is we will have to live by faith and should be living by faith. We are people of faith. Sons of the Father of faith; descendants of Abraham the father of faith.
Only by faith will we overcome. Only by faith will we see the victory.
We are entering times when titles, positions, and all our goods will count for nothing, only what we have built our foundations on. Hearing and doing the Word of God!

Already in 2004 the Lord began to prompt my heart to inspire and encourage people to seek the Lord's strategy for their lives and ministries, and businesses, because we need to position ourselves for what the Lord will have us be and do in these times.

Your network is going to need you. You are going to need them.
Does this sound too radical or extreme? But anyone that does some research, even beyond the christian circles, will hear and become aware of the situation the world is in.
its not all bad news though because we have the victory. We do have this substance called faith - the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.

What is scary is the bunker, head-in-the-sand mentality among the church.
Listen to the prophets. Listen to the 'fathers'. Listen to the Spirit of God.
Listen for the Shepherd's voice and obey and follow His leading.
Psalm 23

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

Proverbs 22.3
³ The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Our refuge is first and foremost the Lord and His word.
Know what the Word says;
Meditate on the Word to make it part of you;
Confess, declare and speak that word that speaks to you, over your life constantly;
Hold fast to that confession even in the face of contradictory circumstances;
Act on that word like its true to you;
Thank God every day that even though you cannot see it yet, the word is working in and for you;
And expectantly wait for the word to manifest in your life.

Then we have practical steps.

Acts 11 says

²⁷ During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)
²⁹ The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. ³⁰ This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

The scripture doesn't tell us how they did this, but they committed themselves to a practical plan.

Unfortunately, while we are ignoring the state of the situation, while we are hoping that if we are just going to escape it all, we cannot be a blessing to others, we cannot be prepared, and we cannot 'buy the oil' like the virgins who were ready at the Bridegrooms coming.

So, I will keep posting relevant teachings from God's word to encourage, instruct and build you up.
We have a responsibility to stay in His word and to stay in faith.

Then at the end of it all we can say with others:
2 Timothy 4
⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Heavenly Minded, Earthly Good 6

2011-09-02T09:59:00.000+01:00

Heavenly Minded; Earthly Good 5

2011-08-30T12:49:00.012+01:00

Heavenly Minded; Earthly Good 4

2011-08-29T12:26:00.000+01:00

When we understand the realm of the spirit, we understand how people are influenced and how we can bring the Kingdom of God into this physical realm.

Now concerning spirituals brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.
You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astry to mute idols.
Therefore I tel that no one who is speaking byt the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor 12: 1-3

Ignorance leaves the church, impotent and inable.
We need to be aware and knowledgeable and skilled in the realm of spirituals to be effective in and for God's kingdom.

Heavenly Minded; Earthly Good 3

2011-08-26T20:25:00.000+01:00

1 Corinthians 12
^1-3 What I want to talk about now is the various ways God's Spirit gets worked into our lives. This is complex and often mis-understood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable. Remember how you were when you didn't know God, led from one phony god to another, never knowing what you were doing, just doing it because everybody else did it? It's different in this life. God wants us to use our intelligence, to seek to understand as well as we can. For instance, by using your heads, you know perfectly well that the Spirit of God would never prompt anyone to say "Jesus be damned!" Nor would anyone be inclined to say "Jesus is Master!" without the insight of the Holy Spirit.(Message)

Heavenly Minded; Earthly Good 2

2011-08-25T21:17:00.000+01:00

Now about spirituals brothers I do not want you to be ignorant. 1 Cor 12.1
There is a physical world and then there is a spiritual world. many believers are not aware or conscious of the spiritual realm and so do not live to their full potential.

In this series we are looking at becoming aware of the spiritual dimension and why.
There is much more to us and our surroundings than meets the eye. Even though we live in this world we are not of this world.

What does it mean to be "spiritual"?
The word for spirituals is pneumatikos. Spirit assisted by the Spirit.
Over this series we will unfold some of the mystery and misconceptions and allow the Word to equip us for being the spiritual people we are called to be.

Heavenly Minded; Earthly Good 1

2011-08-24T21:48:00.000+01:00

Heavenly Minded; Earthly Good
Is a topic that has been bouncing about my spirit for some time now, and the Lord gave me liberty to share it now after some meditation and study in the Word.
The spiritual dimension is an area where many christians don't dare venture into but we are spiritual beings and have to deal with spiritual forces every day.
We are going to be looking at what it is, what it is about and how to function in this realm.
We will look at our weapons and tools for living victoriously and how knowledge of this spiritual dimension is necessary to be overcomers.
You will understand why people do what they do and how you can be a greater influence for the Kingdom in your life.

Lets begin the journey together.

Paradigms Of The Believer 5

2011-08-18T21:52:00.004+01:00

What's of the law, is flesh, and always brings a curse and slavery, heavy burdens.
What's of the Spirit brings life, the blessing and freedom.

We need to discern what is life and what is death.
We need to discern what robs us of intiative and what inspires the promptings of the Spirit.
What unveils our heart to reveal the ever-increasing glory of the Lord and what makes our hearts, our spirit, dull, callous and insensitive.
2 Cor 3: ⁶[It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive.AMPL

Paradigms Of The Believer 4

2011-08-17T21:24:00.000+01:00

If we are hearing, seeing, or reading from a platform of legalism, regulation, and conditional standards of acceptance by the Father, it will always produce death, heavy burdens and slavery.
But a New Covenant view will bring the hearer into a place of assurance and confidence and freedom in the Lord. It will be life and righteousness. because it will depend on Him for everything. It is faith.

It all depends on the spirit and paradigm that we receive from.
Two individuals can read or hear or share the same scripture, saying the same thing, but one leaves you feeling death and not-good-enough, killing the initiative of the believer to hear from the Lord, manifest His glory, and be transformed into His likeness. The other will bring you into the place of knowing the Lord in a deeper more intimate way and experiencing the freedom and liberty of the Spirit who is the Lord. You experience life.

Two platforms: One is a New Covenant with an emphasis on life; One an Old Covenant with an emphasis on death. One builds your faith and sets you free, the other leaves you in doubt and slavery to fear.
Romans10: ⁸But what does it say? The Word (God's message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is, the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith which we preach, AMP

The Steeple Song - Don Francisco

2011-08-16T22:29:00.003+01:00

This song always reminded me over the years what it's really all about!

Paradigms Of The Believer 3

2011-08-16T22:09:00.007+01:00

2 Corinthians 3 (NIV)

¹ Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? ² You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. ³ You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

⁴ Such confidence we have through Christ before God. ⁵ Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. ⁶ He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

⁷ Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, ⁸ will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ⁹ If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! ¹⁰ For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. ¹¹ And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

¹² Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. ¹³ We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. ¹⁴ But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵ Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. ¹⁶ But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate^[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

For All The South Africans Missing Home ...

2011-08-15T22:26:00.001+01:00

My son sent me this one.
Even if you don't understand the words - the pics are pretty great.

Paradigms Of The Believer 2

2011-08-15T15:36:00.008+01:00

Another aspect we need to consider:

Jesus said: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”

Depending on what paradigm we come from, what we speak can either be spirit and life, or death, counting for nothing. Even though someone quotes the word, if it speaks death, flesh and is empty, well that’s what it will be empty! Individuals have used their private interpretations to manipulate and impose their paradigms on others and thereby leave the hearers in death and with no life. I have heard so-called spiritual ministers, preach the word in death.

John 6:63

2 Corinthians 3

There are distinctly two mindsets here, two paradigms: Old and New Covenant. Let me break down the various components of this passage.

· You are the letter

· Word is written on the heart

· Written with the Spirit of the Living God.

· New Covenant

· Life giving

· Ministry of the Spirit

· A ministry that brings righteousness

· More glorious – surpassing glory

· A glory that lasts and ever-increasing

· Turns to the Lord

· Veil is removed

· All with unveiled faces

· Anyone turns to the Lord the veil is taken away

· Where the Spirit of the Lord is - Freedom

· Transformed into the Lord’s image by the Spirit

· Law

· Written on stone

· Engraved on stone

· Old Covenant

· Kills

· Ministry that brought death

· A ministry that brought condemnation

· Came with glory – which is passing away

· Transitory

· Looking at the veiled face of Moses

· Minds were made dull

· Veil covers the heart and still remains when Old Covenant is read

· Prevented from seeing

· Remains

Can you see the distinct difference?

On the left hand we have the New Covenant paradigm and on the right the Old.

Paradigms Of The Believer 1

2011-08-13T15:32:00.000+01:00

In the last series we started to look at how our paradigm can affect the way we interpret what we read in the Bible. A paradigm is our view of things. Its not always the correct view, but it is correct to us. It is like wearing a pair of ‘filtered glasses, and everything we read (or hear) is interpreted through those filters.

We looked at some ways to shift this paradigm, so that it becomes more ‘corrected’, which of course, really is a shift in thinking patterns.

Paul said in Romans 12.2 “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Conformance is a thinking, a mindset, a paradigm that is fashioned and filtered to the world’s way of thinking. Whereas, transformation takes place as we shift to thinking in line with the essence and spirit of the Word of God. Renewing is the metamophoo, like in metamorphisis, change, of the mind. The pattern in which we think, and derive our thoughts and interpretations are to be changed. Then transformation takes place.

I hope this is not too complicated. It actually isn’t. Its simple, but not easy. You see it takes effort and a recognition that my thinking may not be in line, Heaven forbid , I may be wrong.

When it comes to our spiritual walk there are many paradigms we can own. These could include:

Old Covenant Legalistic thinking

Religious Traditional thinking

Carnal Soulish Fleshly thinking

Failure, low selfesteem, weakness, doubt and unbelief thinking.

You understand, each of these common approaches is a paradigm out of which we interpret everything we hear and read, and therefore, apply, act on, form as our habits and behaviour. But it does not necessarily mean we are right or correct in how we view what we are hearing.

Jesus said: “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Consider carefully what you hear.” Mark 4:23-24

Consider carefully : means – of the mind, direct ones attention to, consider, think about, give proper attention to, make sure of something.

If we do not know the Heavenly Father, and are not acquainted with Him, we do not know His nature, His integrity, His plan or purpose, and how He loves to work with us as His sons and children. If we have not been instructed in the Word of truth and how to interpret what we read and hear, rightly discerning the word of God, we will always be hearing the way we have always heard.

“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near’” Matt 4:17

Repent: metanoeo – meta =change ; noeo =to exercise the mind,think

To change one’s mind or disposition.

To really get the kingdom, there has to be a change in thinking, sentiment and disposition, away from the old and into a new.

At times I am horrified as I hear what people have interpreted from the word of God as truth, knowing it contradicts our Fathers will and plan for us. The worst is that at times, people will fight tooth and nail to maintain their view and be totally dogmatic about their stand, or rather, their thinking and view. Their paradigm.

There are a few points that need to be considered in this regard:

1. That we understand the Bible is the Word of God speaking to you;

2. That spending time in the Word is spending time in fellowship with the Lord;

3. That as we meditate on and read the word we will get to know the nature of God more fully and therefore gain a better understanding of Who He is;

4. That we interpret the word with the word, and not by our own experiences and personal convictions.

We cannot take one isolated scripture and make that our dogma. It has to be interpreted in the light of the nature and plan of God from beginning to end. Pet perspectives, regardless of how noble, will not and cannot hold water, if they do not ‘line up’ with who God is.

What In The Heavens Is Going On? PLEASE PRAY!!

2011-07-26T22:16:00.000+01:00

It's an epic battle!
A titanic struggle!
A gigantic clash!

And these are not just movie theatre terms...

It is the battle for the United States of America!!

Since 2007 I have sensed the need to follow the movements of American politics, and we have always had a heart for this nation; its land and its people.
In the early hours of this morning I was awakened by the Lord and he said this to me:
"What is happening right now is not about flesh and blood; about politics and economics and finance. Its about a 'heavenly' clash of proportions you are not even able to comprehend right now. I want you to call my people to prayer, to intercession, supplications and petitions as they have never prayed before!"

I was reminded of Daniel praying and the angel revealing to him the 'shift' that was taking place in the nation he found himself in. I was also reminded of how a 'shift' took place in South Africa in 1994.
Everytime goverments change, authorities and prominenet positions are exchanged huge momentus spiritual dynamics take place.
War in the heavenlies!

We have all heard it before, but are we convinced?
Are we devoting ourselves really to this battle?
Do we realise that right now there is a battle taking place for the nation of the USA?
For the church?
For the generation yet to be born?
For the nations of the world?

Whenever there is a shift of principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness and wickedness in high places, there is also a shift of values, an influence of culture, an openeing or closing of the spiritual heavens, an influence of decisions and choices,- society, - economics, - politics, families, peoples view and perspectives. I have studied these things over the years and been very aware of the changes that take place, on a smaller or larger scale.

The sad thing is we mostly carry on our merry way not realising how our thinking, lives and activities are affected by what has been allowed and permited in the heavelies and in our nations.

In 1994 I remember how we as a church prayed and sought the Lord in fasting and prayer before the elections that were to take place that year. From all over the world we received notice, as the church, that churches and groups and individuals were praying for us as a nation.
A blood-bath was avoided and free and fair elections took place.

With all my heart tonight I wish to request your earnest prayers for the USA!
I know that the Lord has impressed this upon my heart today.

You may not live there, but you will be affected by what takes place there, in whatever nation you live.
If you do, please realise the seriousness of what is taking place right now.
Gather some friends and PRAY.

(You maybe out of fellowship with the Lord at present, but He loves you and will hear your prayers, too.)

Please do not discount what is happening right now, nor your ability to 'see' the Spirit of the Lord come in like a flood against the enemy.

Resist the works of darkness in faith.
Declare by faith the grace and mercy of God over the nation.
Confess boldly, to the North, South, East and West that Jesus is Lord of that nation.

We cannot walk away from this crisis moment/season for this nation, because of our indifference and disobedience and unbelief. The simple fact that we are prepared to not sense the urgency of the hour ,shows how much we have already been influenced by 'forces' that seek to dominate and set up kingdoms against our Christ's and Kings Kingdom.

Your greatest enemy right now will be to be too busy.

Please pray URGENTLY!!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Dan 10:12 Then he said to me, Have no fear, Daniel; for from the first day when you gave your heart to getting wisdom and making yourself poor in spirit before your God, your words have come to his ears: and I have come because of your words.
Dan 10:13 But the angel of the kingdom of Persia put himself against me for twenty-one days; but Michael, one of the chief angels, came to my help; and when I came he was still there with the angel of the kings of Persia.
Dan 10:14 Now I have come to give you knowledge of the fate of your people in the later days; for there is still a vision for the days.

Changing Your Thinking; Changing Your Paradigm Part 5

2011-07-26T22:15:00.000+01:00

Changing Your Thinking; Changing Your Paradigm Part 4

2011-07-21T11:18:00.004+01:00

Changing Your Thinking; Changing Your Paradigm Part 3

2011-07-20T10:19:00.001+01:00

Changing Your Thinking; Changing Your Paradigm Part 2

2011-07-19T09:48:00.006+01:00

Here are the few simple - not easy- steps on the process of changing your thinking, your mind, and your paradigm.

Changing Your Thinking; Changing Your Paradigm Part1

2011-07-18T09:32:00.002+01:00

I apologise for the delay in vlogging, but if I'm not inspired and moved by the Spirit to bring something I don't, and it has also been circumstantial.

But here we are again, and this is a message that has been bouncing around my spirit for awhile now.
Over the years I have discovered that its not just another message that changes us; its not just talking about the Kingdom and gospel that manifests it, but a definite process has been revealed by the Spirit of God for us to manifest the principles and values of the Kingdom.

In a time when man and Satan is visibly and feverishly attempting to set up kingdoms against Our King and God, we the church, need to be deeply involved in the Kings work of revealing, and establishing His kingdom.

Blessings
Shaun

God's Word & You V : The Word in Action

2011-07-18T06:04:00.000+01:00

We should spend our time having the Word fixed in our hearts, and then out of the abundance of hearts our mouth will speak. When our hearts are full of the Word that is what the world will hear. What are we filling our hearts with? What comes out of our mouths? Where is our focus and attention?
The book of Acts reveals that they spoke the WORD boldly, that they spread the Word wherever they went.
We should too. This is our duty, our commission, to preach the Word. Spend time in it, meditate on it, speak it, make it the centre of everything, the first place in your life.

God's Word & You IV: Our Life & The Word

2011-05-11T05:34:00.006+01:00

God's Word & You III: Our Life and The Word

2011-05-10T17:34:00.000+01:00

God and His Word are ONE.

Until we believe that and act like it is true, we will not operate in the power and will of God. We need to have it fixed and settled in our hearts so that the Word gains the pre-eminence and absolute first place in our lives.

God's Word & You II : The Integrity Of God's Word

2011-05-09T04:33:00.004+01:00

God's Word & You I : God Is Speaking To You

2011-05-08T16:33:00.001+01:00

Of all that we can know and understand in this life, the Word of God is the most vital. Jesus said to Martha that Mary had chosen the MOST NECESSARY thing, when she sat at the feet of Jesus and heard His word while Martha was worried and upset with many things. He said what Mary had chosen would not be taken from her.

In these days, and every day, what are we choosing?
Are we choosing the necessary thing that is better?
In this series of posts I will be discussing with you the part the Word of God has in our lives and why having the Word is so vital. How it works and what we should be doing with it.

Be inspired to spend time in God's Word and have a revival of His Word in your life. I am!
I trust you will go through these posts with me, because I know the Lord will speak to and minister to your heart.

Blessings

Rise Again

2011-05-07T20:20:00.000+01:00

This has been an incredible song that I have enjoyed for many years now. I always listen to it with tears as it reminds me of the Living, Resurrected Christ Who is coming back for us again.

Enjoy with me.

Dealing With Change: Revisiting God's Strategy For Difficult Times 5

2011-05-01T07:00:00.009+01:00

Please do not take the seemingly simple points lightly that the Lord has shared from His Word. We need our hearts fixed and established in these, so much so that we are unmoved by the changes going on around us.
Forgive me for so emtiona, but the presence of the Spirit was so strong in the room as I shared this that I was overwhelmed by the urgency of the Spirit with the message.

Dealing With Change: Revisiting God's Strategy For Difficult Times 4

2011-04-30T06:36:00.004+01:00

Join with me in the Word of God as the presence of God grows so strong I cannot contain myself.
We have to begin preaching the Word boldly, declaring He is soon returning to meet His Bride and establish His kingdom.

Dealing With Change: Revisiting God's Strategy For Difficult Times 3

2011-04-29T09:32:00.020+01:00

This is not the time to be anxious and fearful, but a time to rejoice because the coming of The King is near.
Jesus said when you see these signs, don't fear but look UP for your redemption draws near.

As a saved, born-again child of God, washed in the blood of Jesus, you know that He will never leave you not forsake you. Make Him your refuge and dwelling place and Psalm 91 says he will give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways.

If you do not know Jesus as Saviour, then you need to accept Him as the Lord of your life, by believing in your heart that He is risen from the dead and confessing right now that He is Lord of your life.
Romans 10:9-10

Please help with Research Survey

2011-04-28T18:19:00.001+01:00

As an accredited Mentor/Business Coach and pastor/teacher for many years I have counselled and assisted many individuals and groups with various areas of victorious and successful living with a focus on living with integrity from the heart basing their lifestyle on the principles of the Word of God.

I have sensed for some time that the Lord has been prompting me to 'minister' to the market place and invest into the "church" outside the 4 walls, with mentoring/coaching and training to encourage and equip for their ministry, calling and function.

I am working on some programs that I believe will be a blessing but I need your assistance.

First off, if you could complete this online survey, it would greatly assist me to assess what the prevalent needs and issues and concerns are in the market place, and thereby offer the right information and direction and guidance to those I will minister to.

Survey Here with SurveyMonkey

And secondly, if you could ask others to also complete, that would really be great.
It is on my wall on FaceBook as well, but I need as many as possible so as to ascertain the best possible reflection and measure of the "need" in people's lives.

Thirdly, we will be launching our new and revitalised w/shop and event with mentoring and coaching; watch this space.

Thank you so much for helping with this, I really appreciate.

Survey here with SurveyMonkey

Dealing With Change: Revisiting God's Strategy For Difficult Times 2

2011-04-28T08:47:00.017+01:00

We are in an amazing time of change in the earth and it will require a certain heart attitude in the midst of it all.
We know we have to adapt and change to the grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord, but what do we do in the midst of changing elements around us?

The beginning of the year the year told me that we will face tremendous change like we have never experienced before and that I was to teach and stir up the faith of the household of God.
I immediately started the the series "God's Strategy For Troubled/Dificult Times";
This is now that series REvisited, as we have observed tremendous change since then.

Dealing With Change: Revisiting God's Strategy For Difficult Times 1

2011-04-27T20:48:00.009+01:00

We are studying the concept of physical change.
What are we going to do with all the changes in the world?
How do these things affect us?
What are we supposed to do?
What does the Lord Jesus require of us in this season of change?

The Lord gave me 4 things or words I know He wants me to share here about the changes that we are seeing and will see in the earth in these times.

A Fathers Voice

2011-04-27T10:08:00.001+01:00

In a blog that I started a few years back, I began a series of posts on my journey as a father and mentor and my journey with mentor/fathers.
It has been an interesting learning experience and I have shared insights and revelations that have come through joy and pain.
Please join me there too if you would like and experience the journey with me.

A Fathers Voice
(the link is on the left hand column)
Blessings

Dealing With Change IV

2011-04-26T14:23:00.002+01:00

Dealing With Change III

2011-04-25T12:36:00.021+01:00

Do we need conflict and crisis for change in our lives?
In what areas do you need change?
Are your refusing change and therefore find yourself in a frustration and unable to move forward, set in your ways?

I am breaking down the 'process' of change in these posts to help you see the areas of change you may have to adapt to, and how you can assist others and see where they may need to have a shift as well.

Dealing With Change II

2011-04-24T12:36:00.000+01:00

Change is an inevitable part of our journey. It's important knowing ...
How to deal with it;
How it happens;
Why it happens; And
What happens when it happens.

In this series I am going to introduce you to some of these concepts to assist with the seasons of change in your personal life, ministry and leadership.

PS I apologise for poorer quality of the video, but the web cam doesn't do too well in the garden sunlight. The sound is good though, and that is what its about - hearing the word and the teaching!

Dealing With Change

2011-04-15T21:17:00.000+01:00

Change is part of our journey, and you can be assured that your spiritual journey will bring about change. You will never be the same as you were, again. We may want to return to what we were and where we were before change happened, but even if you did, you would not fit - you have changed.
In this post I am sharing a small formula I discovered for the reason for change.

The Point of Leadership II

2011-04-13T20:28:00.006+01:00

The second part to the teaching.
Remember leadership is not about perfection but about fufilling your calling with the grace and ability that the Lord by His Spirit gives to you.
Priciples that I share here are some that I have applied in my life and ministry over the years and some of them I learnt on my journey as a leader.
Principles are the compass of our leadership, some of the unchangeables that govern what we do whether we feel like it or not, whether we agree or not.
Take some of these and add some of your own, but keep them as the unchangeables for your life, leadership and ministry.

The Point of Leadership I

2011-04-12T20:28:00.000+01:00

These are some principles of leadership that I have found important to live by in ministry. They are by means exhaustive, but certainly can be helpful. They are by means eloquent stuff either, but practical guidelines to assist you with your leadership in whatever sphere of life and influence you may find yourself in.
I have to break it up into 2 parts so catch the next one tmorrow.

How To be Effective in Your Calling And Ministry Part 4

2011-02-13T11:00:00.009Z

You, Your Leadership, Your Ministry

How To be Effective in Your Calling And Ministry Part 3

2011-02-11T16:31:00.004Z

You, Your Leadership, Your Ministry

How To be Effective in Your Calling And Ministry Part 2

2011-02-09T09:14:00.010Z

You, Your Leadership, Your Ministry
I am talking about the elements necessary to sharpen and equip your ministry and leadership and calling. God wants to use us all, and there are things we can do do and should know that will make us more skilled and more effective as we grow in them.

Enjoy, be inspired and most of all be effective to the glory of God, in Christ Jesus.

How To be Effective in Your Calling And Ministry Part 1

2011-02-08T14:12:00.000Z

This is part of the series

You, Your Leadership, Your Ministry

Content With Our Differences

2011-02-01T13:03:00.002Z

You, Your Leadership, Your Ministry Part 7

The Intensity Of Ministry

2011-01-30T15:28:00.000Z

You, Your Leadership, Your Ministry Part 6

Interdependence In The Body

2011-01-26T18:09:00.001Z

You, Your Leadership, Your Ministry Part 5

Faith To Function

2011-01-24T17:52:00.001Z

You, Your Leadership, your Ministry Part 4

Grace Gifts For Grace Places

2011-01-22T16:34:00.000Z

You, Your Leadership, Your Ministry Part 3

Leadership Perspectives

2011-01-20T18:46:00.000Z

YOU, YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR MINISTRY PART 2

Commissioned

2011-01-18T19:35:00.000Z

YOU, YOUR LEADERSHIP. YOUR MINISTRY PART 1

Your Personal Leadership

2011-01-10T19:42:00.000Z

I have started a new blog http://yourpersonalleadership.blogspot.com to begin posting information about Strategy4Life coaching and workshops.
Please pop over and have a look at the short videos introducing the Keys of A Strategy for Life.

Strategy 4 Life is more the personal leadership aspect of what I do to assist Christian Leaders and others live strategically on purpose.

Trust you will find it helpful.

Blessings

Resolution for 2011

2011-01-04T09:36:00.000Z

We are now entering a time when todays problems cannot be solved with natural solutions but will require a supernatural anointing and wisdom.

To assist you with this, I will be starting to do blog posts with video and MP3 inserts. These will be combined with teleseminars to give you access from wherever you are in the world.

Starting this week I will post a message the Lord Jesus laid on my heart for the Body of Christ.
The message is "God's Strategy for the Believer To Succeed in 2011 and Beyond"

In these posts we will be discussing:

What are the Basic components to live strong in these times
How to always walk in peace in turbulent times
What are we facing
How to cooperate with God for His power to flow
Foundations for being a spiritual leader in your world
What the Lord has provided for our victory
Defeat worry and stress every day
How to keep your testimony in troubled times

Our God has not left us ill-equipped, un-pepared, as orphans to face what we will experience in this world.
2Ti 3:1 says

(ASV) But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.
(ISV) You must realize, however, that in the last days difficult times will come.
G5467
chalepos
Perhaps from G5465 through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, that is, dangerous, or (by implication) furious: - fierce, perilous.

The Lord has a plan, a strategy for us to succeed. He has a way for us to overcome with components and ingredients that are clear in His Word for us to apply in our walk with the Lord.

Be strong in the power of His might and whatever your function and position in life, live out your successful mission for the kingdom of God.
If you DON'T want to be challenged and WANT to live 'under' the circumstances and prefer a mediocre spiritual walk, then these messages are NOT for you.
But if your desire IS to rise above and live successful and victorious lives in these times then you definitely need these teachings.
Be inspired, equipped and en-courage-d.

Keep checking the blog http://shaunsmitministries.blogspot.com/ for posts.
Subcribe to the posts and pass them on to your family and friends.
Write to me on shaunsmitministries@gmail.com and request to be added to our mailing list to receive our monthly newsletter.

Stressed Out

2010-12-31T11:22:00.000Z

In Matt6:24 - 33 Jesus speaks of serving 2 masters, either you will love the one and hate the other, or you will hold to the one and despise the other. He then goes on to say, "Therefore I say to you take no anxious thought about ..."
Therefore is quite significant because it connect the previous thought with the next one. In other words when we are taking anxious thoughts saying we are serving, loving and holding to or being loyal to a master. That master is mammon.

So how do you serve mammon?
By stressed out, worrying thoughts that you speak out about living your daily life.

The opposite therefore has to be; The Father knows what I have need of therefore I take this thought - Word thoughts- and I speak them regardless.

Refuse to take anxious thoughts; rather take Word thoughts from Gods word regarding your life.
Refuse to speak these thoughts; rather speak of your Fathers love and care.
Refuse to serve mammon as a master; rather serve the Lord Jesus.

Allowing fear, because that is what stress and worry and anxiety is, to rule your thinking and speaking, is allowing mammon to be your master. But when we allow faith thoughts based on God's word to fill our minds and speaking we are seeking and establishing His kingdom and righteousness.

As you enter 2011 with its challenges and opportunities be sure you know which master you choose to serve and be loyal to.

May the favour and blessing of the Lord Jesus rest upon you in this new year.

Are you receiving?

2010-07-31T12:22:00.000+01:00

Jas 1:7 If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord.

An essential requirement for what we believe that we often do not quite get right is the ability to stay focused and single-minded. We often get side-tracked, distracted, and influenced by others and circumstances so that we do not consistently apply the principles of our faith.

So we should:

1. Make up my mind on what is the will of God for me.
How do I know what that is? Ask the Lord for wisdom and spend time in His word until it is clear what you need to pray and believe for in your situation.

Mar 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Spending that time getting a clear mind what is the will of the Lord is for you and what you should pray for will count for the long haul.

2. Then decide that is what you are believing for.
The power of a decision is amazing, but if there is any doubt about whether it is right or wrong thing for you will show when trials come or when distractions come.
Make a firm decision.
What is it that God has given in your heart to desire?
What desires has He laced there?
When you know the desires the Lord has given you make a clear firm decision to believe for that.

3. How do I know I'm double-minded?
You constantly hesitate between 2 opinions, ideas, desires. Jesus said you are to believe with all your heart and not doubt at all in your heart (Mark 11:23). It means a clear firm commitment to what you believe is the will of God for you. Because if we don't we will receive nothing from the Lord. That's what the Word says; You must not think you will receive anything from the Lord.

4. You have to know that there will always be distractions and influences.
As sure as you make stand in your faith to believe the Lord, something or someone will come along with a doubt, with a better idea, with an opinion that will distract you from what you believe is the will of the Lord. You just begin to make your positive confessions and make a firm stand and then...
But you have to be clear up front; this is it and I will not be moved.
So many times I have had this battle, especially when its like a desperate stand where I need God to come through for me - which is most of the time.

5. Don't change your mind.
Know that the first voice the first desire that first impression you had from the Lord is the desire of God for this situation.

6. Absolutely make sure your have scripture.
Take your time to find the scriptures that relate to what you are believing for,
If its healing - 1 Pet 2;24
If its financial or economical - Phil 4:19
If its strength - Phil 4:13
Search the Word of God for you.
What scripture is the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart?
You cannot stand on nothing. Your decision has to be based on the Word of God otherwise it has no foundation.

Believe and receive today.

Even If He Kills Me

2010-07-30T15:41:00.000+01:00

If you are prepared to stand forever you won’t stand for long.
Kenneth Hagin Snr

Believing and trusting God is not something you just try. People have sometimes said to me: “Well, I’ll try that brother Shaun”. But trying is just trying to get the water without getting wet. Like Abraham you have to commit to the promise of God with all your heart.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart...”

With all your heart is an all out commitment, an uncompromised stand from which you are not prepared to back away from, a single-minded decision to trust God to be the Source of your situation, need and life.

A man once said that when he died they should write on his gravestone : “Here lies ...., He believed God”.

Believe right through to the end and be prepared to believe even beyond that. Make an unqualified commitment to believe and make a stand for the rest of your life. The Word of God stands forever, Jesus said, so we should make our stand on it, forever. Don’t be wavering and hesitating. The time will come in your believing when it ‘feels’ as if nothing is happening, when your stand seems totally futile, when it appears that what you have decided to trust God with is getting worse.

The Jewish boys Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego could have got to the open furnace door and said “Oh dear it doesn’t work” and asked to be taken out the fire, but they said :
“Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to return a word to you on this matter.
Dan 3:17 If it is so that our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, then He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
Dan 3:18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods nor worship the golden image which you have set up. “

They were trusting God with their lives and chose to believe regardless. It didn’t quite turn out as many would like, but we know the story that the Lord did deliver them.
Nebuchadnezzar had the answer to their deliverance:
“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His Angel and has delivered His servants who trusted in Him, ...”

They ended up in the fire, but they had made a commitment to believe God forever, to trust in Him. The result was that although they did end up in the fire they experienced a deliverance that has filled the story telling annals.

Job said:
(KJV) Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:

Trusting and believing God is not a temporary attempt to get Him to do something for you, even though He will, but its about making that stand that comes from a heart committed to the Lord and His promise.

When we make that stand with all our heart we will ‘see’ God move on our behalf, but He does want our heart, He does want us to trust Him with ALL our heart.

Are You a Believer

2010-07-26T16:48:00.000+01:00

Trust is a definite component of what we as believers are made of.
Jesus however used the word "Believe" way more than the word trust.

To believe: to have faith in; trust; be persuaded; implying knowledge or assent to; confidence in.

We can see that the word 'trust' was used 107 times in the Old Testament; 27 times in the New; but 'believe' was used only 17 times in the Old and 114 times in the New - 69 times in the gospels and 45 times in the other books from Acts onward.

Just some unimportant information really; however what it shows is that to believe has become part and parcel of who we are as "believers". It actually is the distinguishing mark of the Christian. We believe!

Trust, as we saw last time is the really the same thing; but I personally see it as a component of believing.

Matt 8:13(GNB) Then Jesus said to the officer, "Go home, and what you believe will be done for you." And the officer's servant was healed that very moment.

It seems from some scriptures in the gospels that what people believed actually 'directed', in a sense, the ministry of the Lord Jesus. This Centurion was distraught over his servants physical condition, comes to Jesus to implore Him to do something. Jesus states His willingness to go to his home to heal the servant, but the Centurion reveals tremendous confidence and persuasion in the authority and ability of Jesus by requesting that He speak only a word and that would be sufficient to do the job.

Jesus is so impressed with what this man believes and his level of trust and confidence that His answer to the request is "What you believe WILL be done for you."

You see we shouldn't frown upon the 'believer' ie those that make a decision to believe, they are actually directing the ministry of Jesus; directing the power of God toward something; channeling Heavens ability (not man's) toward a focused result.

Jesus said what you believe is what you will have.

Can you see this is a powerful ability we have as believers that we CAN believe and move the power and ministry of the Lord on our behalf?

These Old Covenant saints received from the Lord what they requested, how much more the New Covenant believers who dare to trust in; have confidence in; are fully persuaded and lean heavily upon Him for their all; for focused results.
The fact is this Centurion was not even an Old Covenant saint, but He had heard enough about Jesus to place his trust and confidence in Him.

Will be done...
Will be done...

Mat 9:28 When Jesus had gone indoors, the two blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I can heal you?" "Yes, sir!" they answered.
Mat 9:29 Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, "Let it happen, then, just as you believe!"---

Let it happen JUST AS you believe.

It's time for the believers to believe. This is something that obviously connects us to the ministry and power of Jesus' ministry. We need to believe; We must believe.

Jesus asked the blind men:"Do you believe I am able...?"

What was He looking for?
What their focused result was that they were persuaded about.
What they were connecting to His power and ministry for.
What they expected to result as they trusted and leaned on His resources.

Believing releases the ability of God. It is the measure of what will happen in your life.

Just as ...

You can believe - You are a believer! Its the substance you are made of.

Trusting God.

2010-07-24T12:24:00.000+01:00

Another fundamental element to our walk that we must be taught as disciples is to trust in the Lord with all our hearts.

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.

Its amazing to me that when approached many times by Christians about certain aspects of my life, when my answer is "I am trusting God", I get this look of "Yeah right!" I look into their eyes to see their reaction to the statement.
Have we lost something?
Have we become so immersed in the systems of this world that we do not know what is to trust in the Lord anymore?
Have we become so 'real' that we despise those that do thrust in God? has our heart become so hardened by the hurts and fears of life that we are scared of trusting the God of the universe?

About 70 times in the Bible we find the term trust in the Lord in one form or fashion or another. To trust means

trust (noun): 'confidence, strong believe in the goodness, strength, reliability of something or somebody', 'responsibility'

have trust in (verb): 'believe in the honesty and reliability of someone of something', 'have confidence in', 'earnestly hope'

As believers, because that's what we are, are we not supposed to be trusting in the Lord?
Pro 28:25 Selfishness only causes trouble. You are much better off to trust the LORD.

You are much better off!! Wow!
There is something about trusting in the God of heaven Who is bigger and mightier than anything else we can imagine on this earth.
So why do we have this problem?
Never should we hinder the trust a disciple has in the Living God. We Should be challenged by it and agree with them in that trust. Over and over again we see the Word tells us not to trust in man, in our own ability, in princes, horses, chariots, idols and other stuff, but to trust in the God of heaven. There are promises to this.

Isa 57:13 When you cry for help, let those idols of yours save you! A puff of wind will carry them off ! But those who trust in me will live in the land and will worship me in my Temple."
Isa 12:2 God is my savior; I will trust him and not be afraid. The LORD gives me power and strength; he is my savior.

When we trust the Lord we are having confidence in His goodness, strength, and reliability; earnestly having expectation in Him who gives power, strength and salvation. It is a heart issue - with ALL your heart. It's boldness and confidence. Its not about being more spiritual than others, its purely that you have or will come to the place where you are learning to trust in Him, have confidence in Him, being bold to lean on, rely on Him for your life.

Now I know there have been many who have used this as some excuse but let us not throw the baby out with the bathwater. As disciples let us learn daily to trust in Him for everything.

Put your trust in God today!
Confess that you are trusting in Him; and then do it! Trust Him!

Fundamental

2010-07-22T12:32:00.000+01:00

Fundamental to a life in Christ is worship.

The contention in everything is who wants and contends for our worship.

Dan 3:5 at the time you hear the sound of the horn, the pipe, zither, the lyre, harp, bagpipe, and all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up.
Dan 3:6 And whoever does not fall down and worship, at that moment they will be thrown into the middle of a burning fiery furnace.

Nebuchadnezzar the king sets up an image, of gold, and what does he demand for the image of himself, ... worship!

Exo 32:2 And Aaron said to them, Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them to me.
Exo 32:3 And all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.
Exo 32:4 And he took them from their hand, and fashioned it with an engraving tool. And he made it a molten calf. And they said, These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Exo 32:5 And when Aaron saw, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made proclamation and said, Tomorrow is a feast to Jehovah.

When Moses was delaying, quickly the people turned to an image and Aaron built an altar with sacrifices which of course means ...worship!

Luk 4:5 And the Devil, leading Him up into a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
Luk 4:6 And the Devil said to Him, All this power I will give you, and the glory of them; for it has been delivered to me. And I give it to whomever I will.
Luk 4:7 Therefore if you will worship me, all shall be yours.

The devil shows Jesus what many want, all the splendor and glory of the world but what does he want from Jesus ... worship!

Rev 13:11 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. And it had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon.
Rev 13:12 And it exercises all the authority of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and those dwelling in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

Satan lusts the worship, but he will even get you to worship the image as long as the worship does not go to God.

1.Worship is not just a song.
It means to give devotion, homage, respect and adoration, To recognize as the source. Its the Greek word, proskyneo.
When we turn to the worship, giving time and devotion, respect and sacrifice to any image other than the Lord we are saying that that is where we need to receive from. That is where our source of whatever it is we need can be found.
Worship can be utterances in song, but its not just a song we sing on Sundays or during the week. Songs assist us to express our devotion and love and reverence, but its not the only ingredient of worship.

2. What you worship will be the nature or form you take on.
When we worship God we become more like Him. We take on His form and experience His presence. Once the Israelites began to worship the image in the wilderness, the camp fell into an orgy type atmosphere that Moses could not even stop. He had to send in the tribe of Levy to begin executing those that were indulged. (Turn off your churchy view). The beast in Revelation wants the whole earth to take on his form by the worship of the image.

3. Where your trust is there is your worship.
Dan 3:28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His Angel and has delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and have changed the king's words and have given their bodies that they might not serve nor worship any god except their own God.

In the God whom we trust we will worship. God delivered these three boys who trusted in God and would not worship any other God. They knew who they served and loved and who was the provision of their lives.

4. Its going to mean you have to take a stand where you worship.
Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to return a word to you on this matter.
Dan 3:17 If it is so that our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, then He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
Dan 3:18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

Mat 4:8 Again, the Devil took Him up into a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
Mat 4:9 And he said to Him, All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.
Mat 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, Go, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve."
Mat 4:11 Then the Devil left him.

Boy when we make our stand on Who we worship, Satan will not and cannot stick around.

Seek in your own heart today
Are there any images you are worshiping?
Is there any other source of provision in your mind other than the Lord?
Are there any 'images' that you give more sacrifice ie worship to other than the God of heaven?

The Process: Conformed and Transformed

2010-07-22T11:36:00.001+01:00

Discipleship is not the end in itself.
If we are just to stay disciples then the process has no meaning. No, the process has an end.
The end is son-ship.

Romans 8:29
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers.

This is the design, this is the outcome: conformed to the likeness of the Son.

Conform means to be changed into His substance, into His likeness, into His image.
Likeness means: Implies what is derived from an original type, cast as a direct expression of an original. It would be like a figure head, a likeness, impressed on a coin, the image of the Son impressed upon us as man. Jesus being the likeness means He is the prototype, so that we do not just resemble Him but from which the impression, the representation, the image is drawn and is the standard by which it is measured.

Of course, we know the verse that says : The creation waits in eager anticipation for the sons of God to be revealed. Rom8:19

Sons here are the mature, grown up sons that resemble, are a direct expression of, a copy of, a likeness of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Discipleship is about the process of imprinting Christ's worldview, Heavenly view, values and constitution ie. the Word of God, in someone until they resemble and are changed into the substance of who He is. This is a work of the Spirit.
We are transformed by the Spirit into His likeness. 2 Cor 3:18
It means we are being altered fundamentally, having our inner man changed into His image.This verse tells us its the Lord who is the Spirit who takes or reveals this glory in ever-increasing measure in us.

Basically, all this means is that we are to be changed, to be imprinted with the image of the Son of God so that we too become and act like God's Son, who is the prototype whose image we take on.

So, the process has to be carried through until we are more and more a representation of who He is. Jesus is the prototype, the original pattern or type from which all sons are to be copied, on which our substance is to be based. Jesus Christ is the model or first form - that's why He will be the first among many brothers!

I don't believe we will ever end in the transformation process, because when we see Him (only then) will be as He is.

But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2b

Is discipleship necessary?
Yes! Jesus commissioned us to go into all the world and make disciples.
Is there a point to it?
Yes! The maturing of the sons of God until they reflect His son-ship.

Conformed and Transformed in to His likeness:
This is our goal!

Paul said that his contention and labour with all the energy of the Spirit was to bring every man to maturity. He knew the task and the focus, and the end goal. (Col 1:28-29)

Why Make Disciples?

2009-10-12T08:03:00.000+01:00

Luk 14:25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
If any man come to me, and ...., he cannot be my disciple.

Act 14:20-22 ...and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught (matheteuo: make disciples) many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

It has become clear as I studied the scriptures that the Lord was calling for more than just a decision, He required a commitment, to become an adherent, a disciplined learner, one to be mentored into a new way of life.

large crowds were following and crowding Him. Bustling, pressing against, Jostling to get closer for a better look, to get a healing or something that would possibly manifest while close, these crowds made every effort at that point to be where He was. And yet, Jesus turns to them and says, "If any man would come to me,(and do certain things), he cannot be My disciple."

The crowds are there. I mean what more do you want. They want You and what Yoou can do for them. They want to rely on You. Surely that is all a ministry needs, right? No!
Jesus turns to them and says: "If any man come.... He cannot be My disciple"

He was calling for more than just desire to see and feel. He wanted this specific dimension of commitment, called discipleship. He didn't say, believer, christian or convert. He said DISICPLE!

When we understand the full impact of what this word means and the depth of its commitment, I believe it begins to change our walk with the Lord and how we view the world, how we live and how we believe.

As I studied the Book of Acts, again I did not find and reference to being 'born again, making christians or convert, but over and over again disciples are referred to. In fact, it says that they would make many disciples. that was their focus, their mission. Only once are these disciples referred to as Christians, and that only because they were so living like the Christ that the community could see it and called them that.

It is an interesting exercise to study this book and underline each reference and meditate on it for awhile and let the reference speak to your heart.

If it was imporatnt to the Lord Jesus and to the early church what role should it play in our life and ministry?
How individuals are you spending time with making a disciple? What is the PRIMARY focus of your ministry?

Make Disciples

2009-10-08T14:01:00.000+01:00

When the Lord called me about 30 years ago, the scripture that spoke deeply to my heart was:
Mat 28:19-20
Go ye therefore, and teach (matheteuo: make disciples) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Initially, in my walk with the Lord, I did not get the meaning of this powerful term, make disciples. Over time, however, and especially in the ministry, the need for and the depth of what Jesus commissioned us to do here, took on a much stronger and deeper meaning for me.

After pastoring for 15 years, and being in spiritual leadership as many years, I often wondered at the fact that even though we sat week after week listening to messages being preached, and teachings being taught, we did not seem to change. There was always a struggle to see people change their lifestyles. As a pastor I resorted to all sorts of programs to get people to witness, pray, live righteously, but that always seemed to need more 'marketing', more pushing, more convincing to get people to attend, but with only some results.

What I have seen done in the name of Jesus, as Christians, is scary. The insecurities that causes individuals to manipulate and control, the pride and arrogance that was allowed in ministry, the intimidations of spouses, the deceptions in christian business, the flaky expressions of so-called spirituality, and on and on we could go.

Now understand the Lord does not require perfection of us because that is impossible. Without the the Spirit of God empowering us we have no chance of living this life the way it is meant. However, there is certain lifestyle and behaviour that the Word of God expressly lays out for us to live. There are certain things we can excuse as much as we like, but nonetheless, reveal our carnality and lack of spirituality. The Bible would not tell us to live a certain way if were not possible.

I would, week after week, cry out to the Lord for the members of our congregation, asking for their deliverance. I would spend hours and hours in counselling to try and assist the marriage problems, relationship hassles, and lack of wisdom many christians displayed in their lives. Not all though, there were always some that seemed to excel and thrive and grow as believers even though things would be tough, I should add.

I began to question the Lord regarding all these things. His answer was, "Make disciples!"

When I studied the Greek term for disciple was I ever shocked as I read what it meant, really.

To instruct and teach, not just as a scholar but as a disciplined learner, who has, through a deep intimate fellowship, based on relationship with a mentor par excellence, had a new world view imparted to them. Not learning a vocation but experiencing a change so deep that their whole behaviour is changed.

What a challenge that was to me as a pastor. I realised that my programs were not cutting it. It was just not enough to put someone through a 10 week study program and now expect them to live like Jesus did.
Being a mentor meant that I would have to walk beside the person and carry them through the process of learning to be Christlike. It meant, I would have to instruct, correct and comfort.

How was I do this?
The answer: One at a time!
But how could I one person begin to change the world like this? I mean I had been taught, win the crowds, gather large crowds, preach powerful messages of the Word and all will turn out right. But that had not been my experience.

The postings over the next few weeks, hopefully, will address these questions as we seek out what Jesus did and what the Bible says about it.
So, stay with me for a journey.

2009-06-30T11:57:00.000+01:00

There is certainly an awareness, a sense, a longing for, The Lord to move in our days.

We can see the "signs" of the crisis of ages facing us every day, and the cry is for God to pour out His Spirit and touch the nations. The challenge is for us to keep the main thing, the main thing.

A New Vision

2009-06-18T12:05:00.000+01:00

Its great to have had some visitors already.Thanks.

"And the one who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid and went away and hid your talent in the ground; see, you have what is yours." Matt 25:24-25

It seems inevitable that the way we view the Lord in our lives is the way we will treat others in our lives. in other words, if we view the Lord has a hard and harsh man who has no mercy, no grace, always judging, always stern, then unsurprising ly we tend to treat people in exactly the same way.

Yes, the Lord is stern at times, and does confront our sin and does chastise us as His sons, but did you notice that Jesus introduces God as the Heavenly FATHER?
The servant in the passage quoted was rebuked because he had the wrong perspective of his Master and therefore acted contrary to His nature.

One of the greatest accomplishments we can have as sons of God is to get a true perspective of our Father in Heaven, Of the nature of His SON. Armed with this revelation we will have our view of how to respond to people shifted to align with the Lord's.

As we have a change of perspective, a change of vision of the nature and the Person of the Lord, so He will change our perspective of people and our vision for them.
However I view the vertical, so will be my horizontal.

How is your relationship with your Heavenly Father?
Do you believe He is unforgiving and harsh?
Do you believe He is out to straighten everyone up?
Do you believe He is critical and judgmental?

Remember He is NOT your earthly father....

Or do you KNOW He is a loving Father who will correct and encourage in love for your benefit NOT His own?
That He always seeks to cause your growth and increase as a person?
That you always have access to Him for comfort, for wisdom without having to earn some points before you can get there?

Go and read the Bible again for a new vision of who God is and what His nature is toward you. And suddenly you will begin to see people differently as well.

A Beginning

2009-06-17T13:11:00.000+01:00

Well here is the first post for this new blog.
I'm trusting that we will be able to communicate a clear message to many all over the world.
In the days ahead I will attempt by the grace of God and the power of the Spirit of God to challenge some of your thinking regarding what it is to be a follower of Christ Jesus; what the scripture tells us about leadership, authority, ministry and our responsibility.
Paul said that his (and our) weapons were for the pulling down of strongholds. Where are they found?
He says that the weapons of our warfare are for arguments, high things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of Christ and bringing every thought into captivity.
Basically, all in the mind.
It's all about our thinking processes and patterns.
In Ephesians he says that we should be renewed in the attitude of our minds so that we can put off the old and put on the new.
The challenge, of course then is, will we be prepared to change our thinking and thoughts? Will we be prepared to put off the old?

Join me as we explore the wonderful Word of God for illumination and confrontation to bring us into liberty and freedom of the Spirit.