Releasing the Power of the Bible

Someone once asked the great Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon: “How should you defend the word of God?” Spurgeon answered: the Word of God is like a lion. "Unchain it and it will defend itself.”
Why does the Word of God seem to be so weak, that we struggle to defend it? The answer is simple. We have put a chain on the Bible. We have kept the lion in a cage.
For centuries the Roman Catholic Church put the Bible in the cage of a Latin translation which few could understand and only the priests were supposed to read it.

The meaning of Bible words was changed to fit in with Church traditions. Saving Grace could only be received at the hands of an Ordained priest through Catholic baptism, ritual confession to a priest, going to mass and so on.

It is so easy for Evangelical Protestants to criticise the Catholic Church but we need to examine ourselves.

Have we also kept the lion in a cage?
Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye. Luke 6:42       
We have also restricted the meaning of Bible words and so robbed them of much power.
Only a Catholic priest can celebrate the Mass and many Protestants will only recognise communion administered by a Pastor.
Jesus said: “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst...” I take bread and wine alone with my wife at times. Why should not any believer or believers partake reverently of bread and wine at any time? Release the lion!
The word Pastor (Shepherd) is only used once in the New Testament to refer to certain Christians gifted to nurture, train, feed and guide other Christians.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ... Eph 4:11-12 (NKJV)
There is no context here or in the New Testament to define the institutional role of evangelists, pastors or teachers. Yet we have restricted the meaning of Pastor to refer to an ordained minister in charge of a congregation. Of course the Apostle Paul did appoint elders and the New Testament refers to leaders in churches, so I am not suggesting God does not call leaders.
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 1Ti 5:17 (NKJV)
This text supports leadership. To whom should you give double honour? YOU must decide who YOU consider to be leading well and give credit where credit is due. Many sincere pastors sacrificially serve their congregations and do not receive the support and encouragement they deserve but We should not be in a hurry to submit to leaders who demand "double honour". On the contrary, we should cautiously put them to the test.
I know your works, your labor, your patience... And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars... Rev 2:2
I highly honour the pastor of my church. Once the Holy Spirit prompted him to pray for a young man in a meeting. Pastor Phil was led to tell the young man he was a Pastor and his sheep were the young people in the street. This young believer was actually a security guard in a nightclub and he ministered in faith and love to the young people he met in his job.       
My aunt was never an ordained minister but she was a wonderful pastor. Her husband had been a prisoner of war and needed a lot of support. Their seven children became Spirit filled Christians who serve God in various ministries. My aunt pastored her husband and children and many other people including myself.
What is your ministry? If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are appointed by God to release the power of the Bible in your own life and in the lives of others.

God bless you from
Bill Derham

THE POWER OF WORDS

In the beginning God spoke, and it happened.
“Let there be light!” and the light appeared.

God speaks. It is in His eternal nature. He is not a silent God.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets... Heb 1:1 (ESV)
Then God sent His Son into the world to show us what He is like. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God became flesh and blood.
...but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Heb 1:2 (ESV)
The eternal Father sent His eternal Son to represent Him on earth to act for Him.
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. Jn 5:19 (ESV)
And the Father also sent Jesus to speak for Him.
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Jn 14:10 (ESV)  
We have a wonderful record of the words of Jesus in the Bible, which we rightly consider to the Word of God in book form. It is in the very nature of God to speak. He did not stop speaking when the Bible was published. The Spirit of Jesus who inspired the Bible also speaks through the Bible as we hear it and read it today.
The words of God give life.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. Jn 5:25 (ESV)
When Jesus spoke to the lifeless body of Lazarus in the tomb, the stinking corpse stood up and Lazarus walked out alive. Even today, there are believing Christians who have spoken to dead bodies and they have returned to life.
Death is the great enemy of humankind, but there is an even more terrible curse upon us, spiritual death. If you don’t know Jesus personally, you are separated from God and as good as dead for ever and ever.
We can only be truly alive by receiving the words of Jesus and getting to know the eternal ONE whose words give life.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. Jn 10:27-28 (ESV)
How spiritually alive are you? This question is a good test.
Do you know what God is saying to you now? Do you frequently receive direct communication from the Spirit of Jesus?
In the time of Jesus, each sheep was in constant personal contact with the shepherd. Where the shepherd walked, the sheep followed. When the shepherd called, the sheep heard and responded.
This reminds me of a lovely song.
“I heard the Lord, call my name. Listen close you’ll hear the same. Take it and we are glory bound.”
But take care not to confuse the VOICE of God with the words of Christians who water down the truth.
The Bible says we are saved by grace and not by our works. That is true. But often the wonderful word GRACE is watered down. We think it means mercy, and it does mean mercy.
But grace means much more. The grace of God is also the creative power of God.

Jesus saved an adulterous woman from execution by stoning. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” Jn 8:10-11 (ESV)
This was not only mercy but powerful grace. The words of Jesus imparted inspiration and divine power to change her life.

GIVING BIRTH TO GREAT DREAMS

REGENERATION means being born again, a recreating or re-birthing.
It can refer to conversion, in which a person puts his trust in Jesus and becomes a reborn child of God.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3 
REGENERATION can also refer to God’s restoration of the Kingdom of God and of Israel and the recreation of Heaven and Earth.
So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. Mt 19:28-29 
However, regeneration has a wider meaning.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 1 John 5:4 (NKJV)
The word here is WHAT-ever, not WHO-ever. Some translations get it wrong. Only the person WHO is born again overcomes the world but that is only part of it. Many born again believers live defeated lives, defeated by family problems, financial problems, workplace problems and health problems.
So what does it mean that WHAT-ever is born again overcomes the world?   
When the great classical musician, Frederick Handel, was advanced in years, struggling financially and in poor health, he received a commission to write the oratorio, THE MESSIAH, a musical feast with           scripture set to music for choir and orchestra, entirely focussed on glorifying Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Handel set himself apart to receive heavenly inspiration and to compose his greatest masterpiece. He said it was as if heaven opened and the music poured down. Yet the music did not all descend directly from heaven. Handel was also inspired to adapt music he had previously written for Italian opera, yet the whole work fitted perfectly together as if designed in Heaven. When the King of England attended a performance, the great Alleluia chorus rang out.
The King stood to his feet and everyone else also stood, as is the custom in the presence of a king. From that day to the present, Handel’s Messiah has been performed before Christmas every year around the world. Handel’s inspired music was born of God and it overcame the world.
Jackie Pullinger was a young English woman who longed to do something great for God. She wanted to be a missionary overseas but no church and no Christian organisation would accept her application. Finally she spoke to a wise pastor who encouraged her. She bought a ticket and boarded a ship travelling to Asia. She went on until she reached Hong Kong and she looked around. She found a terrible slum area ruled by violent gangs and drug dealers. The only industries were drug dealing and prostitution. She felt the touch of God’s love calling her to stay. Appointed only by God and not by any Christian church or missionary society, she began to serve the people with the power of God. Today there is a Christian mission there and the darkness has been banished from that area. Jackie Pullinger’s mission was born of God and overcame the world.

God wants you and me to not only be born again but to give birth to His wonderful plans. Dare to be like Mary who conceived the Son of God and gave birth to the Saviour of the world. Dare to be like Frederick Handel and Jackie Pullinger! 

What is your gift? What is your calling? What is your hope? What is your desire? What is your dream? 
Why not just go for it? 
Start small if you must but don’t stop there. Be led by the Spirit of God like the saints of the past and the often unsung heroes of today.

HOPE IN A DARK WORLD

Dear Friends
I hope you find these thoughts helpful.
Clearly the world is in a mess. What then can we hope for? Many people just seem to live for themselves and try not to think about the kind of world their children and grandchildren might inherit. The worse things become, the more selfish people are.
So what is the answer? The United Nations? The League of Nations failed and the UN is little different. A benevolent dictator? How benevolent have the dictators been in the last 100 years?
What about a new world religion? We know how cruel human religion can be. Islam became a world religion by a process of brutal conquests. Hinduism has a terrible record of fatalism and cruelty to women.
The Bible was written by Jews and it tells of the wonderful work of God in Jewish and world history. Yet in the Bible we also see the a sad history of the spiritual failures of the Jewish people. This is strong evidence for the genuineness of the Bible text.  
Is Christianity any better?
Christianity came out of Judaism because Jesus and His disciples were Jews. Most of the New Testament was written by Jews. Yet Christians down the centuries have savagely persecuted Jews. Christianity gave birth to the Spanish Inquisition and the civil wars in Ireland. I personally believe there is a divine glory which gave birth to both Judaism and Christianity but in every generation many human religious leaders have corrupted the glorious faith they claim to represent.
Why would a man made United Religion be any more helpful than the United Nations?
Many people find hope in a personal faith in Jesus Christ, who lived a wonderful life admired by His friends and even by many who do not follow His teachings.
Was Jesus the Son of God, was He the Creator of the Universe who visited our planet? Many people admire Him as a wonderful human being but do not believe in his divinity. This seems reasonable but is it?
What did Jesus Himself say?
Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV) This is not the religion of the Spanish Inquisition.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:7-9

This is not the religion of religious terrorism, either Catholic or Protestant.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

These are not the words of a good man, unless that good man is who he says he is, the eternal Son of God.
If you believe in Jesus, you have an eternal hope, a secure future in heaven with God. But what about the earth. Should our faith be only a lifeboat ticket to escape Titanic Earth?
The Good News of Jesus Christ is the core of true Christianity. It is summed up in these famous words of Jesus.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
The Almighty Father cares about you and me but also this world. God also has a plan for this world.   
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. Revelation 21:1

God is not finished with this world which we have messed up. But will you and I be part of the problem or part of the solution?
Jesus said:
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.  Matthew 12:30 

New Life with Jesus

How do you become a Christian? By believing the Word of God about Jesus, the eternal Son of God who lived and died as a man on earth because He loved you and gave Himself for you.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26

For by grace you have been saved  through faith. And this is  not your own doing;  it is the gift of God, not a result of works,  so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
God created us and loved us but we did not love Him. God IS love but we did not love him. God sent His only son to die for us but we did not love him. 
God created a perfect world but we mess it up but He still loves you and me.
If you owe money and your creditor gives you three days grace, you have three more days to pay. But God saves you by grace because His grace is eternal, so you never pay God the debt you cannot pay.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23      
All this is PURE MERCY but the Grace of God is also more than mercy. GRACE is beautiful. Grace is an essential aspect of the lovely character of God who is eternally beautiful.
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
When Jesus died on a cross, He paid the full penalty for all our sin, all our indifference, all our selfishness, all our human faults for all people for all time. This is amazing, wonderful and beautiful. This inspired Handel’s Messiah and the greatest artists of Europe.
The GRACE of God is the power of His creative love to make a true believer a beautiful man or woman in the true image of our Creator and Father.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Cor 5:17
The GRACE of Jesus Christ sets us free from punishment and condemnation, saves us from death and hell but more than that, the Grace of Jesus Christ TRANSFORMS you into a new person on the inside and God wants His goodness and love to show on the outside, in your smile, in your kind words and in your new life.
When you believe and invite Jesus to be your Master and Teacher, your Lord and your God, He changes you but He does not take away from you the freedom to make decisions, whether right or wrong. You are called to be a free and willing partner with God in becoming the wonderful person He created you to be. More than that, you are called to be a free and willing partner with Jesus in restoring His Kingdom of love and goodness.
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10 (NKJV)
If this message is already the theme of your life, you may know someone else who needs to read it. Please don't hesitate to pass it on to as many people as you like. TELL THE WORLD THAT JESUS LIVES!!
If you are not already a follower of Jesus, you can make a new start now WITH HIM.
Why not talk to Jesus now?
Please write and tell me what you think.

God so loved the world ...

Is it possible to evangelise without love? Sadly yes. There are self righteous Christians who try to convert people in an aggressive and religious way. They misrepresent the JESUS they preach. He always loved. His miracles of healing were not to prove HE was right but motivated by compassion. We should be like that too. He has given us the power of the Spirit of God for this purpose. GOD IS LOVE.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ESV).
You go to a charismatic meeting and you enjoy the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit. You experience wonderful healing in your body and God blesses you. The deep wounds and hurts in your heart are relieved and you stand up a better and a happier person.
But why stop there? What about other people, the people you live with or work with who don’t know Jesus? If you enjoy the love of God, it is good. But if you don’t share that love with other people, your sweet experiences will fade away and in time you will lose your blessing.
There are pastors who work hard for their church members and build up their church but they are not effective in reaching outsiders. They don’t release and empower people to go out and reach unbelieving people for Jesus. Some might say: “I am a pastor, not an evangelist.” But a pastor is a shepherd. What does Jesus say?
Luke 15:4-7 (ESV)
4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’
7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Another will say: “My gift is prophecy, not evangelism. God gives me revelations to build up the church.” But how did Jesus use His gifts? Did Jesus only share divine revelations with His disciples?
Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well and began a friendly conversation with her. He set out to win her trust and lead her to faith and eternal life. He did not preach a memorised formula but used His gift of prophetic revelation.
John 4:17-19 (ESV)
17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’;
18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”
19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.”
Another will say: “I am not an evangelist but a Bible teacher.” Why not teach Bible studies on evangelism? Why not invite unchurched people to study the Bible in your home? It works. I have done it. Why not teach the Bible by writing emails and sending them to Christians but also people who might not be committed or fully converted?
I know people who have been led from religion to personal faith in this way.
If your gift is pastoring (shepherding), that does not necessarily mean you are called to lead and manage a church. You might be a mother or father to workmates or neighbours, using your gift to build a caring community and to meet needs. This too can lead people into a personal knowledge of Jesus.                          
What if your gift is healing the sick? Do you only pray for fellow Christians? Why not pray for people outside the church? Healing the sick was one of the most effective ways of winning people to Jesus in the New Testament.
What if your gift is music or worshipping God in songs? Many people are attracted to music, not only in the church. Why not sing for people in hospitals or in the streets? What if you are shy but you really love and pray? Pray for people and tell them you are praying. Watch out for the answers!!

Finding Your Purpose

God put you on earth for a purpose, to be a unique agent of His creative love.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph 5:1-2 
If you have put your life in the hands of Jesus and made the Son of God the centre of your life, you are also recreated in HIS image. You are a son or daughter of God. You are in the image of Jesus but that does not mean you are a photocopy of the man Jesus of Nazareth. You are not called to die on a cross to save the world. You are not called to obey all the laws of Moses and live as a perfect Jew.
Just as Jesus had a unique identity, you too have a unique identity.
Jesus had special abilities that you do not have. I am sure Jesus was a very talented carpenter and he had a very strong resonant voice that he could use to preach to enormous crowds without a microphone. He had unique abilities to equip Him for His unique mission. He could speak fluent Aramaic, Hebrew and probably also fluent Greek. He memorised the Hebrew Scriptures, probably the entire Old Testament.
All followers of Jesus have unique gifts and talents to do special things for God. Many have abilities that Jesus did not have in His brief mortal life. For example women have some abilities which are not given to men. Jesus was limited by his male gender.
Jesus was not called to be a musician. It is probable that the great musicians of history had greater musical talents than Jesus had, although Jesus is no longer restricted by the limitations of mortal human life. Jesus in His Eternal Glory is the source and creator of all mankind and the Giver of all gifts and talents.
You cannot declare like Jesus did, that you are the perfect Son of God but you can share a message that Jesus could not and cannot preach. You can tell people how God forgave your sins and restored your lost and broken life. Jesus could not do that and He cannot do that now. He is and always was perfectly holy, totally good and He was never in need of forgiveness.
What is your identity and what is your story? There never was and never will be anyone quite like you. God made you for a purpose. God will not send angels to tell people about Jesus. He is sending you to tell your story. People can argue with your beliefs but they cannot argue with a story.
What unique qualities did God give you to reveal to the world?
But what if you have already ruined your life, or other people through cruel abuse have left your life in a mess?
That is no problem for God.
In Mark Chapter 5, Jesus recruited a most unlikely person to be an evangelist. This man told many thousands of people what Jesus had done for him and ten towns were won over to Jesus.
He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. Mk 5:3-5
Jesus drove hundreds of demons out of this man and immediately sent him out to be a missionary, with amazing results.
No human church leader would ever immediately appoint such a man to evangelise a region but Jesus did.
What is your story? What are your talents and gifts? Maybe other Christians think you are not gifted enough, not good enough, not mature enough, not experienced enough or not trained enough to bless others with your love and faith but God does not think like men.
Ask God why He put you on this earth. Then DO something and keep acting in faith. He wants to change the world through you, one step at a time.