Luke 6:17-26 (NIV) Jesus called his inner circle and after spending a night in prayer with his father, he called the 12 disciples. Jesus and his disciples were met by a large crowd of people including those who were not jewish but gentiles. Jesus had already a ministry of influence and they came.  Many came out of genuine human need. v 19 Jesus was not a magician, he is Lord.  He spoke with authority which was not like the jewish leaders.  He never came across as a person of authority.   He served with humilty and love. Jesus is our example of how to serve.   He taught with authority and power, grace and love. V20 (c/ref:  Matthew 5:1-12) Jesus has a different thought pattern to the world.  In the first part Jesus begins with 'blessed' (truly happy) not being happy (circumstances).  In the second part he begins with 'woe'  (an expression of sadness and concern).  When we worry we are like the woeful people.  v24 - don't we envy those who have wealth.  We d

Bible Reference:  John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes (faith, trust, this is an action word) in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Timothy 2:1-6  “I urge, then, first of all that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  That is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesu

Love each other.  Like each other. Ephesians 4:1-6 The first 3 chapters of Ephesians sets out how to live as God's people. Popular belief today is that you can be a Christian and be a loner.  Scripture does not teach this. We are to walk as God's people.   We are no longer our own but we are to walk as one of God's people; in his way.  Important to God and for our salvation.   God wants us to be proud of walking his way but not be proud in it.  Don't think we are far above or we are better. We are not in  competition with each other.  We are to walk life together.  Meek:  I know what's it like to have and not  have but I am content. When strife gets in your life you won't cope unless you are walking life with God. 1 Corinthians 10:13 2 Corinthians   5:10 If you are finding it hard to forgive then you have not looked at yourself and what is going on in your life. You cannot livein unity when you start to think you are better than someone else. But by

The tests of life reveal how well you take instruction, what you've learned, and what you'll do in any given set of circumstances. What you've been taught is only theory, until it's been tested on real fire. Chuck Swindoll tells the story of a bird named Chippy: 'Chippy the parakeet never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage singing, the next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over. His problem began when his owner decided to clean his cage with a vacuum. She stuck the nozzle in to suck up the seeds and feathers at the bottom of the cage. Then the phone rang. Instinctively she turned to pick it up. She'd barely said 'hello' and then ‘sswwwwPPPPP!’ Chippy got sucked in. The owner gasped, dropped the phone and snapped off the vacuum. She unzipped the bag and there was Chippy alive, but stunned; covered with heavy black dust. She grabbed Chippy and rushed to the bathtub, turned on the faucet full blast and held Chippy u

Ephesians 3:14-21 Acts 9 (Saul met Jesus and is saved) Why is culture important? It's set by God.   To destroy people, change the culture. Paul was a Benjaminite, a Pharisee, but he didn't know the revelation until  he met Jesus. The family to which we belong is the Church of the family of Abraham. Paul prepared to let God be god and take his direction from God. Three things: God's strength in our inner man; The Church (God's people); He has given the Holy Spirit in us. Faith in God's plan for your life. We will then know the surpassing greatness of God's grace in our life. Where are the prayers of our heart at this moment?  Each and every one of us to answer this question. Why is this important? Are you interested in what God wants to do?  He is interested in what you want to do. Q. Could you give a personal example of the greatness of God in your life? How big is your prayer?  Would you trust God more than the leaders of our nation? Where am I