How can we understand what Jesus has done for us?
Think of it like mankind is in a debtor’s prison.
Charles Dickens’ Father was a prisoner in Marshalsea Debtor’s Prison, during childhood he worked to pay off his father’s debt - a debt that could only be paid off by someone else. His awful experiences inspired Dickens's Little Doritt.
Genesis records how man freely choose to obey Satan, resulting in man’s relationship with God being broken, locking us into the gates of death, meaning we are destined to go to the same place as Satan for eternity, like a debtor’s prison.
This is not the end!
God longed to restore the broken relationship with man, only someone outside the prison could pay the debt. Although God has all power and authority He had given authority over the earth to man. Only a man who had never sinned and thus never come under Satan’s control could take up that authority and pay the debt to secure our freedom. Man had inherited death and the price of death had to be paid.
God’s Salvation plan was a child conceived not of natural descent, which carried the stain of sin, but from God through the Holy Spirit. This enabled the child, Jesus, to be born outside of the jail, free from Satan’s control.
Love brought Jesus to earth, enabled Him to resist temptations, to endure the mockery and flogging of his trial, love held him on the cross, when the soldiers drove in the nails. As He hung on the cross the destiny of every person ever born hung in the balance. When He breathed his last breath the Temple veil separating man from God’s presence was torn from top to bottom, the way for mankind to have fellowship with God was opened.
The relationship between Father God and Jesus the Son had never been broken by sin, so on Easter Sunday, when Jesus was resurrected, there was a man on earth who had the keys to heaven and hell in His hand. He had a higher authority than Satan, the jailer. The price of death had been paid in full and the freedom of its prisoners secured. Death had been overcome and the door opened!
Jesus fulfilled all Old Testament promises, made the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people. John 1:12 says all who chose to receive Jesus as their Saviour have the right to become children of God.
Jesus unlocked The Way for a new life for us all, outside the prison walls.
Jesus has the keys to set us free today!
A message by Trina Sutton shared online to New Life Church.
Contact:
07976 675732 - 07765935475
Whenever GOD allows you to experience tough times, hurts and setbacks it's easy to become overwhelmed and find yourself discouraged.
On this side of heaven you may never understand why GOD allows this but trying to figure out GOD and His reasons are futile as His Word says ......
" For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways " declares the Lord.
But you can be sure that HE is all POWERFUL, all LOVING, WISE, GOOD and FAITHFUL.
HE will be your STRENGTH whatever problem you face.
HE will enable you by HIS POWER and by HIS PRESENCE to stand strong in every trial.
GOD has promised to answer you whenever you call upon HIM.
HE has promised to be with you in times of trouble, just ask HIM.
YOU CAN RELY ON GOD !
" Fear not, for I have redeemed you ; I have summoned you by name;
you are mine " says the Lord.
When you pass through the waters, I WILL BE WITH YOU ;
and when you pass through the rivers, they WILL NOT sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you WILL NOT be burned;
the flames WILL NOT set you ablaze.
For I AM the LORD your GOD, the HOLY ONE OF Israel, YOUR SAVIOUR.
I will call upon GOD and the LORD shall save me.
Evening, morning and at noon I will pray and cry aloud and HE shall hear my voice.
You WILL go out in JOY and be led forth in PEACE;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Hallelujah ♬♪
Praise be to GOD !!
Be blessed everyone
​
Jesus, to some just a name, to others the name above all names. A name at which every knee should bow.
At the sound of that name demons must flee and sickness must bow down.
The only name by which all mankind is saved, Jesus!
Peter and John met a man lame from birth, Peter said " In the name of Jesus rise up and walk."
Peter taking him by the right hand lifted him and the lame man received healing to his feet and ankle bones.
If the disciples had to use the name of Jesus so must we.
In faith and strong belief the name above all names can move mountains.
The church needs power from God and it is supplied to us in that name , Jesus.
Don't know about you but I want to see the church alive in the power of his name.
God hasn't diminished in any way and the resurrected Jesus has all power and authority.
He's given his followers the absolute authority to use his name over all situations.
As priests and ambassadors of the kingdom of light, the name of Jesus is ours to speak out over ourselves, family, houses, towns and countries.
Miracles, signs and wonders follow the sound of his name.
So, speak it out, not as a whisper, let the enemy know you mean business and that you will no longer be content to have him mess up your life.
Smith Wigglesworth wrote of a man who was seriously ill.
Smith gathered around the sick mans bed with friends, prayed and nothing happened. They kept saying one word "Jesus." over and over until the Spirit fell and the sick man got up, healed.
I can't heal the sick, but I know a man that can and will, Jesus.
Even the weakest Christian has the greatest authority and access to the powerhouse of God when they speak the name of Jesus.
When Jesus was arrested a detachment of troops, officers, chief priests and Pharisees came with weapons.
"WHOM ARE YOU SEEKING " Jesus asked?
"Jesus" they replied .
"I AM HE" Jesus replied.
At the sound of Jesus' reply, they fell to the ground.
What power is this?
Jesus used his other name when he responded, I AM HE, meaning I AM GOD.
You have kingdom authority, the riches and of power of Heaven are waiting to be spoken out; but only in the name above all names, Jesus.
Use it powerfully against all that comes against you, speak it out and shout it out and see God stretch out his hand through the name of JESUS CHRIST.
Amen.
A message by Garry Emlyn shared online to New Life Church.
Contact:
07976 675732 - 07765935475
Moses said to God, " who shall I say sent me." God replied "Tell them I AM sent you."
Moses asked "What is your name " and God replied "I AM WHO I AM ."
God is not I was or I will be.
I AM means here and now ,ever present, always, continual and eternal .
The truth of I AM is shown in God's word and his promises.
I AM with you always.
I AM the Lord your God.
I AM the Lord who heals you.
I AM the bread of life.
I AM the gate.
I AM the way, the truth and the life.
Is God the I AM (ever present ) to you?
An ever present help in times of trouble. I have no doubt during this covid crisis that many people who don't know God have called upon his name.
Perhaps that is one of the reasons that God has allowed this crisis to
happen.
Many people say "I have " therefore I don't need God" (I AM).
But eventually everyone needs God.
When God says "I AM " then you know that HE WILL, just believe!
We may give many descriptions of ourselves saying "I am this and I am that " but what really matters is the Holy Spirit of I AM who dwells in you.
Who lives in you?
I AM , in the form of the Holy Spirit, God in us.
He enables you to say "I can " and "I will" in the power and strength of the Almighty I AM.
The God of all creation eats, drinks, listens and dwells with you.
The GREAT I AM knows you by name, gives you salvation, healing, truth and an eternal friendship because of your faith in Jesus.
Jesus said " I AM THE GATE."
Meaning that you have to go through Him to have forgiveness of sin.
The cross opened the door for us to be at peace with God.
That we may through faith reach out to the Great I AM . Receive His spirit, look back and say I was lost but now I AM found because I AM found me.
Praise Jesus.
A message by Garry Emlyn shared online to New Life Church.
Contact:
07976 675732 - 07765935475
" THE LORD REIGNS "
We are His people, the sheep of His pasture, the flock under His care.
God will never leave you or forsake you.
Where does my help come from ? My help comes from the Lord.
I will fear no evil because you are with me.
You are a shield around me Lord.
You are my help and my deliverer.
He alone is my rock and my salvation.
The Lord is my Shepherd.
Our God is a God who saves.
Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
God is our refuge and strength.
Cast your cares on the Lord, the one who watches over you.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Because of the Lords great love, we are not consumed.
For He will command His Angel's concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge.
The Lord is God and He has made His light shine upon us.
PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD
He is a chain breaker, a way maker, light of the world.
He is our hope, our fortress, our High Tower, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
He is The Way, The Truth and The Life.
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. HALLELUJAH
Seek first the Kingdom of God in all things.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you says the Lord.
Amen
God bless us all xx
Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.
"It is like a Mustard seed which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in his branches."
Over the last few days, I have removed some trees from the garden.
The part you can see is easy to take down. But when you come to the roots, that's a different story.
We can have a mustard seed of faith and it can grow huge but if the roots are not strong or lacking in nourishment, it will fall over.
If your roots in Christ are deep, you can be shaken but never uprooted.
Jesus is our firm foundation and if we have our faith roots embedded in him, we will not be destroyed.
The body can be attacked but if the faith remains rooted in Jesus then what ever has been damaged will experience new growth, we are sustained by God as we draw on his life giving word and receive new life by the spirit.
When the people of Israel were going against God.
Isaiah spoke these words in prophecy, "Whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the Holy seed shall be its stump."
If a stump remains, it will start again. New life , fresh growth and maybe a good crop.
At times we may feel like we have been chopped down, but if the faith remains you will grow again, stronger! You will still remain a Holy stump with your roots drawing off God until you flourish yet again, nurtured by the creators hand.
Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about a great tree being chopped down, not realising the tree represented him.
But God said "Leave the stump and roots."
Nebuchadnezzar was to lose his kingdom but would recieve it again when he realised that "HEAVEN RULES ."
In our lives if only a stump remains, then there is still a hope.
Grow strong in faith and your roots will go deep, so deep that even a hurricane blowing may bend you but never uproot you.
You may be flourishing at present or perhaps feel like a stump left in the ground .
God still cares for you no matter what. He will sustain you and encourage new growth.
God is our provider, He feeds and waters us. He plants us where we should be, God may even prune us occasionally but it's only for our own good.
God said "If the stump is holy,so are the branches ."
and "You do not support the root but the root supports you."
Grow in Jesus, our roots have to be drawing life giving sap from our faith in him.
Feeling like you have a Mustard seed of faith today , plant yourself in God and you will grow bigger and stronger in faith than you could have ever realized.
God bless.
A message by Garry Emlyn shared online to New Life Church this week.
Contact: 07976 675732 - 07765935475 or visit: newlifechurchpembs.com
In a world that is so messed up how can we live life to the full?
Feeling hopeless, lost, without purpose, suffering loss and pain brings us down. Wrong choices of us and others lead to pain and suffering.
We can look forward to heaven but what about now? Jesus said he came so we can live life to the full now. Jesus wants to set us free, give us hope and He is the way we can be part of God’s family.
There is an enemy, Satan, who wants to steal and destroy the hope and joy Jesus promises. The enemy’s plan is to hurt, Jesus’ plan is better to heal.
If we go in our own way and strength we will fall short, no matter how successful we are or what we possess it doesn’t truly satisfy us.
We can have a relationship with our Creator, only then can we be fully satisfied and have peace.
The first man and woman had a close relationship with God but they were deceived and their actions separated them from God. It is only through a relationship with God through Jesus that we find peace and fulfilment, without that it is like something is always missing.
Jesus came to make a way. Jesus said: “I am the way the truth and the life, no one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14). He restores our relationship with God as we trust Him, and we can be united and walk with God, be restored and made whole.
Have you ever picked up the habits of those you spend time with, well it is the same if you spend time with Jesus, you start to become like Him, by God’s Spirit.
The cross is the greatest sign of God’s love for all people across the world.
As Jesus died the Temple Curtain, which then separated people form God’s presence, was torn from top to bottom, making a way for all who to get to God.
Jesus loves you. If you doubt Jesus loves you then you are listening to the enemies’ lies. You are loved, valued, accepted and reassured.
God wants us to be filled with his love and blessings which give us joy. Joy and laughter are the medicine of the soul; this is how we know the fullness of life Jesus wants us to experience, by knowing God’s love for us and receiving His blessings.
Today is a good day to encounter God. Don’t believe the enemies’ lies, look up and enter into the fullness of life God intends and know you are deeply loved today.
A message by Trina Sutton shared online to New Life Church this week.
Contact: 07976 675732 - 07765935475 or visit: newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook
Today we think about truth. God reveals His Truth to us through the Bible. From Eden to Revelation we see a picture of God’s Truth, God’s nature, character and how we can relate to Him, revealing what is best for us.
In life we learn things from school, work, culture, parents; we live lives
based on our understanding of the world around us. This becomes our personal truth.
Things that happen to us on earth can affect the Truth in our thinking. As we accumulate spiritual understanding some of our beliefs will be true, but we are unaware that some personal truths are false.
For example: if our earthly father let us down, was preoccupied, distant or absent we might think God is like this too. This negative thinking can lead to a distorted understanding of God.
God welcomes us to Him, His thoughts and ways are different to ours.
The word salvation also means healing, as we follow Jesus we are healed in our thinking as we see the Truth.
Even in the womb God reveals His Truth to us: “He has set eternity in the heart of man” Ecclesiastes. David’s 139th Psalm asks God to search and know him and show him the way. As we make God’s Truth our truth we become more like him.
God is all powerful and everywhere, all knowing, sovereign. God has authority but is not responsible for all things; we have free will to choose our own way. If someone does something bad this is not God’s will, but God can be with us in things that go against His will. God is able to heal and restore us. We might not have a choice in what happens but we have a choice in how we respond.
God sent Jesus as an example of His love to set us free, a model of how we can live. Jesus is The Way Truth and Life, God as a man, The Word; as we get to know Him we get to know Father God.
The Bible teaches, corrects and disciplines us, a bit like a shepherd with his staff giving the sheep a nudge in the right direction. God wants what is best for us. As we live according to the Truth we become like Him.
Jesus wants us to trust in him, even in the midst of turmoil, and not worry.
Trust is key to our faith and a truth for us all to take hold of. God’s message to us is to trust Him. Whatever you face, put your trust in God today.
A message by Trina Sutton shared online to New Life Church this week.
Contact: 07976 675732 - 07765935475 or visit: newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook
How bonkers have things gone, toilet rolls are scarce and hand sanitisers soon extinct, games cancelled, events rescheduled! How far will it go?
Over the years we've encountered numerous viruses and storms. We're not sure what to believe it's hard to avoid media hype!
One thing we can trust is what God says.
How do we stay in control in the midst of the madness and storms!?
In the estuary near us the water is always moving, the boats are anchored, they might drift but they remain secure in storms.
Paul knew God asked him to travel to a place but he sensed a storm, the people ignore his advice and keep sailing on. They hit the storm for two weeks and were ready to give up.
Paul had a revelation from God:the boat would be lost but people would all survive. Paul told them to anchor the boat. They went out deep and threw out 4 anchors. As the storm raged the people were thrown about but they survived.
What are God's 4 anchors?
1. Purpose. God has a purpose for us all. Even in storms we have a purpose, hold on to your purpose. Seek God's purpose and promises in His Word. The world will say one thing but you must focus on God's Truth and promises. Don't listen to negative voices or circumstances. Listen to the Word louder than the world.
When you're re in the storm you don't see the purpose or the destination. When storms rage we can only see the chaos, God knows the bigger picture.
2. Praise. Paul tells the sailors to cheer up during the storm. Jesus's followers, including Paul, praised God in prison. God loves it when we praise Him, despite the circumstances. There is power in praise. Job lost everything yet he said "blessed be your name" to God. This isn't easy but praise is a key to getting through.
3. Prayer: call out to God at all times about all things. Don't wait, call out to God like a Heavenly Father. Prayer changes things. Pray simple prayers, speak from the heart. Don't stay awake all night with your worries, give them to God, seek Jesus' peace.
4. People: We were never called to be alone, we need others. The Church is meant to be a family. If you're struggling ask for support and prayer, support others, don't be alone. Even the Lone ranger had Tonto and Silver!
Storms come and go. We can stand firm in the storm if we are anchored in Jesus. Don't be afraid, let God hold you safely in His Righteous Right Hand today.
The Word by Chris Rees New Life Church meet in Amroth Parish Hall, Sumerhill on Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732 - or visit: newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook
Fear of WW3, devastating fires in Australia, 2020 news has been horrific. It seems the whole world is groaning like something is imminent.
The Bible tells us Jesus is coming back. How do we cope in this chaos?
Let's learn from Jehoshaphat in the Bible. A whole multitude was coming to destroy them. When fear gripped Jehoshaphat he turned to God.
If we focus on negative situations it will wear us out.
Jehoshaphat prayed, bringing everyone together. They prayed and declared who God was, full of power and might, an incredible creator God who knows us intimately.
Jehoshaphat remembered God's past actions; we need to do this too, thinking: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
The people cried out, saying they were powerless but acknowledged God was all powerful. We have issues and problems but we can ask for Gods help, strength and grace to defeat them.
The Lord said: "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God "
Worry, trying to sort it ourselves with endless stress and strain is pointless. This is how we must face all things: Remember - the battle is Gods, not yours.
Jehoshaphat worshipped and praised God, despite the circumstances. They prayed to God as if they had won. They went out to face the enemy, into the wilderness. Some of them sang praises on the battlefield. Prayer and praise are our weapons. As the enemy charged, they turned on each other!
When the enemy comes against you if you praise and worship it spins them into confusion.
In situations trust God. It might not be as we expect, don't give up, God will make a way. No matter how big the opposition God is bigger than all things.
When we put our faith and trust in God, we pray and praise, we can defeat the enemy. Remember all the times God has stepped in and pulled us out, He will do it again.
We can count our blessings, give thanks for the basics in life, remembering God in the circumstances we face. Pray, give people and circumstances over to God. The battle belongs to the Lord.
This year whatever you face, down in the valleys or up on the mountains, God is with you everyday!
The Word by Chris Rees New Life Church meet in Amroth Parish Hall, Sumerhill on Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732 – 07765 935475 – www.newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook
The Word by Chris Rees New Life Church meet in Amroth Parish Hall, Sumerhill on Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732 - or visit: newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook
The role of Joseph is often overlooked. There is not much about him in the Bible except at the birth of Jesus and when Jesus was 12 years old. It’s believed he died before Jesus too.
Mathew opens with a genealogy where he writes about Joseph including, his lineage, naming him as the husband of Mary, Jesus’ mother. This shows Joseph has an important role.
In first-century Palestine the concept of engagement was a lot different to now. Engagement then was a serious commitment which could only be broken by a divorce, but it did not permit sex until after the marriage ceremony. Imagine Joseph’s feelings when he heard his betrothed was pregnant! Joseph is described as a good man who was:“faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” The reason for his plans to divorce Mary quietly were to prevent a shameful public display where Mary would have been punished, even stoned!
God spoke to Joseph in a dream reassuring him that his betrothed was faithful.
Mathew portrays how Joseph stepped up to the role of adoptive father to Jesus.
What would have happened if Joseph didn’t listen to God?
As we read the Gospel we hear echoes of the Joseph in Genesis. He was a dreamer who took his dreams seriously, he trusted in God. He did not bear a grudge even when wronged, but saw it that even when his brothers tried to harm him that God turned it all out for good.
Both Josephs protected their families and trusted God.
Joseph changed his mind about divorcing Mary, defying a long held tradition of law and followed God's directions.
George Bernard Shaw said: “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
Are there ways we need to change, thoughts in our minds, prejudices in our lives, fears that ensnare us, habits or traditions we follow that hold us back?
As we look to God’s Kingdom are we willing to change ourselves to bring in God’s Kingdom? Are we listening to God, looking for His plans? Maybe God is challenging us to be part of something bigger?
Joseph heard God’s call and he stepped up.
Don’t let us be deaf to God’s Voice, even if it comes in a dream – start listening and step out in faith today.
New Life Church meet in Amroth Parish Hall, Sumerhill on Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732, 07765 935475 or visit: newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook