Don't skip the bread!

When sickness tries to come your way...

The last time we celebrated holy communion in our church, a bunch of people got healed! It was awesome!

Some were healed while listening to the teaching about 1 Corinthians 12, some while partaking in holy communion, some afterwards during prayer. Well, whatever the case, when you need healing in your body any moment is fine!

We drink the wine in remembrance of Jesus' blood that flowed for the forgiveness of our sins. But what do we eat the bread for? The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus that was bruised for the healing of our diseases. It is by His wounds (or stripes) that we received healing. Blood alone was not enough, there was whipping and torture, something they never did with the sacrificial animals in the Old Testament. If there was ever one person who clearly understood that, it was the prophet Isaiah. He wrote: Surely, he took up our infirmities. I love that word 'surely'.

We are forgiven and we are healed! Does that mean we never sin again? No, but it should not take us down. Does that mean we will never be sick again? No, but it should not take us down. Whether sin or sickness tries to come our way, we should immediately take part in holy communion (wherever we are) and read Jesus' words over our situation. His promises are life!

Maybe you find it hard to believe this because you experience a sickness that just won't go away. Don't give up, keep digging in the word and ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you about the matter. It might also help to meditate on 1 Corinthians 12:28-31. If it was possible for people to become sick and sometimes even die because they participated in holy communion in a unworthy manner, I feel free to say that it is surely possible to get healed when we participate in a worthy manner! Feel free to share your thoughts on the matter!

Generous Grouch?

A Steward's Journey

Americans are re-thinking the way they spend their money... well, let's hope that is one of the results of the current economic instability.

Complaining does not change anything, nor does worrying. Instead, we can make the decision to see today as the right time to evaluate the stewardship of everything God has given us, no matter how much or little that is. Maybe you recently started paying of debt, maybe you have to move to a smaller house, maybe you are getting married or maybe you are going off to college. Whatever the situation, every day can be a new beginning, make it a good start! Be a good steward!

A great and vey practical book on the subject is A Steward's Journey by Don Coley. The book offers 30, easy to read, short chapters, a prayer for the day and points to ponder in the 'reflect & respond' section at the end of each chapter. A Steward's Journey is a fresh and challenging perspective on how we should handle our finances and material possessions. It combines engaging word pictures, real life stories, and the time-tested principles of ancient scriptures. Don draws a road map that leads away from the counsel of modern consumer cultures, and towards the sense of peace and contentment that comes only when we understand our role as stewards. I highly recommend this book. Don is practical in his findings and advice, it is an enjoyable read and educational at the same time!

Don writes: When was the last time you met a generous grouch? Probably never, because generous people are usually the happiest and most content people on earth. They are rich because they have enough, not poor because they are always looking for elusive more.

I also recommend this book because it paves the way for more books about stewardship, giving and generosity. As a matter of fact, my forth book, Grace of Giving, will be released later this year. For more info on Don's book go to A Steward's Journey or follow Don on Facebook!

Helping the helpless in Israel

New weblog about Messianic outreach in Israel

Our friend Brian Slater, who works for Chosen People Ministries in Israel, has started a weblog, finally!!

We met Brian a few years ago at Jubilee church in Camarillo, it was during the Feast of Tabernacles and Brian presented a very moving slideshow of his ministry work in Israel. Our hearts were really touched by his testimony and report of the work among the 'least of these' in Israel: the homeless, the drugs- and alcohol addicts, the widows and orphans, the elderly and even groups of Holocaust survivors. We started supporting his work and visited him several times in Israel. Brian's motto can be found in the words of Yeshua in Matthew 25:40

I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

Brian manages several soupkitchens in Israel, a free medical clinic, a food and clothing distribution center and he is also involved in a recently opened bible-based drugs- and alcohol rehab center. Helping the poor and homeless is a Christian duty and calling, but when we do it in Israel we will be blessed because we bless Israel!

Brian finally started a weblog where you can read more about the work and ministry in Israel. This is truly an awesome hands-on ministry and many miracles are happening in Israel because of this faithful work! Brian is always looking for volunteers, so if you've always wanted to visit Israel, consider giving him a helping hand. Be a blessing and be blessed!

If you feel led to donate, please go to Chosen People Ministries and follow the instructions, make sure to mention that your gift is for Brian Slater in Israel!!

Enemy on a mission

Satan’s mission and strategy
A little while back my friend Matthijs wrote something on his weblog that I found very interesting and helpful. It was about Satan's mission and the strategies he uses to accomplish his goal. The enemy doesn't get a whole lot of attention on my blog, but knowing and recognizing his cunning ways is essential if we want to grow in our Christian walk and even more so if working on a dream or assignment! I roughly translated his post:

Mission: take possession of God’s creation
Strategy 1: through distraction prevent people from coming to Christ. If, however, they manage to do so, strategy 2 follows.
Strategy 2: Through distraction prevent the Christians from discovering their personal destiny, their identity and their talents. If, however, they manage to do so, strategy 3 follows.
Strategy 3: through discouragement prevent Christians from reaching their personal destiny. If, however, they manage to do so, strategy 4 follows.
Strategy 4: through separation, division and conflict prevent them from becoming a unity. If, however, they manage to do so, strategy 5 follows.
Strategy 5: Mix their talents and their worship with pride, egoism, fear and jealousy. If, for whatever reason, this has no effect, leave them alone.

Always know where you are and never, ever give up. God’s Kingdom is breaking through with force. Stay connected with Him and you will come through every obstacle.

Land of 'no effort'

Who wants the prize without a fight?

While working out at my gym I heard an ad on the radio. It talked about a program that would have your 3-year old read like a 3rd grader in no time, no effort… really! It struck me as odd that the promise to accomplish a goal without effort would be attractive to anyone. Who wants the prize without the fight, the glory without the blood, sweat and tears? And yet, we seem to live in a land of ‘no effort’. Loose weight without a diet! Now, you can have a great body without exercise! Learn another language in no time! Well, you know what I mean…

I wonder, even if it would be possible to reach a goal without working for it, what would be the fun? Why would we even be tempted by promises that clearly go against Kingdom principles? Jesus said, make every effort to enter through the narrow door. Every effort, right?! There is not even such a thing as little or half effort, let alone NO effort! The Bible goes on to say in Romans 14:19,

- Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification

- Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3)

- Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy (Hebr. 12:14)

Based on these scriptures I feel free to say that an effortless life is an ungodly life.
We can do nothing to earn our salvation, but we can do everything to make it a lifestyle!