New Life For The Nations

A few years ago I was in prayer with the Lord and I saw God sitting in a chair.  I walked over and looked over his shoulder.  There was a canvas in front of him and his right hand was raised up holding paintbrush.  He knew what I was thinking (what are you doing) and he responded to my thoughts, “I Am painting on the canvas of your life.  Trust me always”.         

 Ephesians 2:10   “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”.   Other translations read, “We are – God’s masterpiece his handiwork.

In the Bible, the phrase “right hand of God” is a metaphor for God’s power, authority, and favor.  God wants the best for us and his plan is good. And he is always at work in our lives to bring about purpose.  Jeremiah 29:11  “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for”.               

God is the greatest artist of all times.  He is actively shaping and guiding our lives even when life is hard. We may not see God working on our behalf however he is always in motion on our behalf.  Trust the Artist!

Word Wealth New Spirit Filled Life Bible                     

Before conversion, our lives had no rhyme or reason. Conversion brought us balance, symmetry and order. We are God’s poem, His work of art.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30                                                                                                In Matthew 23:4 Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for laying heavy burdens on the shoulders of the people. He was not speaking about physical burdens. The “yoke of the Pharisees” is the burdensome yoke of self-righteousness and legalistic law-keeping was what Jesus was referring to.  In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus is giving the invitation to those who were burdened by the system of works (the law) to  come to him                                                                           The good news is that Jesus promises to all who come to Him that He will give them rest from the heavy burden of trying to earn their way into heaven and rest from the oppressive yoke of self-righteousness and legalism. Jesus encourages those who are “heavy laden” to take His yoke upon them, and in so doing they will find rest for their souls.

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…. Ephesians 1:4 
One day I was reading the above verse and it just came alive in my spirit – we were known by God before he created the earth!      Psalm 139:13-16 “For you created my innermost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,  I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place,  when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be”.  
The earth was created for mankind.  God wanted mankind in His image to inhabit what He was going to create.  We read in  Genesis 1:1-3 what he did.  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over upon the face of the waters.  And God said…. sound began to create what was spoken by him.  The sound of God’s word created light and the light dispelled the darkness. The physical light that God created is a great metaphor that shows what is done in the heart of those who have accepted Jesus Chrsit as Savior.  “I am the light of the world, and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light and they will never walk in darkness”.  John 8:12  This is a promise that those who follow Jesus will have the light of life and never walk in darkness.  God knows YOU!   Sound created you to be here on the earth right now.  God always knew this!   Walk in the light…..       

Matthew 14:22-32  “Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”  “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water. “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”   

Peter said, “Lord if it is you – tell me to come to you on the water”.   Jesus said, “Come.” 

Peter got out of the boat  and was walking on the water toward Jesus.  Then he saw the wind.  Since wind is not actually visible Peter saw the effects, the sound of the wind.  The Amplified reads verse 33 as, “ But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened”.  He began to look at what the wind was doing around him (distraction).  Peter became afraid and that is when he began to sink.   Peter lost his focus on the one who was standing before him.  The one who said,  “Come to me.   I AM – Take courage – I AM – Stop being afraid!   I AM will be to you what you need in that moment of time – Trust ME”.  

A rubber band would be useless if it cannot be stretched. Faith is much like a rubber band in that it is ineffective if it is stretched.  When God shows up the biggest in our lives is when we are willing to stretch and step out.  Peter stretched his faith and got out of the boat even though the wind was still blowing fiercely around him . Then he got distracted.  Faith like a rubber band goes beyond what we feel and see.  When the winds of adversity blow around us rocking the boat of our lives, keeping our eyes on Jesus is the key to not be distracted and not sink!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16  KJV

As I was reading this very familiar verse the other day I was drawn to the words “so loved the world”. The Greek word “so” is “outos”  which means “in this way” or “thus.”

I went to Bible Gateway and looked through the different translations and came across the Christian Standard Bible it says,  “For God loved the world in this way:He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life”.  Reading this verse in the CBS I began to understand that Jesus was saying.   For God loved the world in this way and this is how God’s love was expressed  “For God “so loved” the world in this way that he gave his one and only begotten Son”.  Jesus goes on to tell us the why – So that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Do you “so know” how much God loves you.  He loved you so much even in this way that is before you knew you needed a Savior.  When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior you are a heir of salvation, purchased of God – are born of His Spirit  – washed in His blood. 

For God so loved the world he gave because I needed a Savior.   I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away-oh what great love this is!

2025 Welcome to the New Year!                                                           

As I have been praying for this New Year, the Holy Spirit has said, “You have just begun.  New Life For The Nations is on the next day.  The foundation is strong because of the Word (seed) sown for many years.  What one man was obedient to start from a small seed planted will continue to grow”. 

I believe the one man Holy Spirit was referring to is Pastor Jerry.  Because of his faithfulness to God and obedience to the Word a foundation has been laid for the ministry of New Life.  Foundation means starting point.  In the Bible, a “strong foundation” refers to a deep and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, which acts as the bedrock of a person’s spiritual life, allowing them to withstand challenges and remain steadfast in their beliefs.  We have been a witness to the unwavering faith that Pastor Jerry has shown in his life.  What a great legacy he has left to New Life. 

New Life is on (not in) the next day”.  “In” is used to indicate that something is enclosed or contained within a space, while “on” is used to indicate that something is resting or supported by a surface.  As we have entered on the next day this foundation is what we will continue to build on.  Jesus Christ is the living Word and is the foundation of our faith.

Matthew 7:24-25  “Everyone who hears my teaching and applies it to his life can be compared to a wise man who built his house on an unshakable foundation. When the rains fell and the flood came, with fierce winds beating upon his house, it stood firm because of its strong foundation”. 

On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness  I dare not trust the sweetest frame  But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.  
Lessin Roy
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Isaiah 9:6  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”                    

Matthew 1:23  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”. 

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

Romans 10:9-10: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved”.

Isaiah 61:3 “To preserve those who mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of  heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” 

 In the above verse we are shown the remedy for the spirit of heaviness.  Heaviness always has the sense of anxiety, sorrow, grief, fear, dread.”  The word “heaviness” in this verse is the Hebrew word “keheh” which in addition to heaviness means “to grow dim, fade and faint”.  The spirit of heaviness wants you to grow weak, weary, and lose your praise!  This robs you of your joy.  Isaiah 61:3 tells us there is a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. 

Kingdom Dynamics Spirit Filled Life Bible

The Glorious Garment of Praise.                                              
The Hebrew root for garment shows clothing casually thrown over our shoulders.  It literally teaches us to “wrap” or “cover” ourselves-that the garment of praise is to leave no openings through which hostile elements can penetrate.  This garment of praise repels and replaces the heavy Spirit.  This special message of instruction and hope is for those oppressed by fear or double.  Put on this garment.   A warm coat from our closet only resists the cold wind when it is “put on.”  When distressed be dressed-with praise!  Act according to God’s Word!

In this season you are moving past from what was to what is.  To move past is to get over, overcome, surpass, and leave behind.  To what is, “the act of relocating or transferring to a new place.”  New to you but not to God. For he has already positioned the “what is place” for you to take possession of. 

Abraham then called Abram was called to go to a new place.  The story of Abraham’s calling is told in Genesis 12:1–9. “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”  In this story, God calls Abram to a new land, where God will make him a great nation and bless him.  Abraham had to let go of what was to get to what is and have faith in what would be in the place called there.  God said leave your fathers household behind.  However Abraham took Lot his nephew with him.  Lot never embraced God’s promise to Abram.  As we read through the story of Abraham Lot would cause him nothing but trouble.

In order to set into the new place you have to cut ties from the past. It may be some family members, job, friends. Surround yourself with those who will celebrate you and your new journey.  Not everyone is going to embrace the move you are taking.  Be true to God and to yourself.  

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Maybe you are held up for such a time….

Have you ever been stuck on the interstate?  You were moving along to your intended destination.  Sunny skies, windows down, the radio blaring worship songs and the traffic slows down and suddenly you are stopped in the middle of traffic. 

I have experienced this in life.  Everything was going good and suddenly I am stuck in the middle of the road called life. 

Stuck in traffic on the interstate you never know how long you will be sitting there. You can be aggravated or make the best of the situation.  I am not thankful because of the situation. After all, I was excited for this road trip.   We must choose not to allow this moment to steal our joy.  In those times we are stuck you gotta keep the praise going (that will keep your spirits up) don’t raise your window up (keep breathing).  When we are stuck in life like the traffic on the road we will begin to move again. 

None of us like to be stuck but maybe we were held up for such a time that God only knows. May we learn to trust Him to be Sovereign Lord over our lives. At the times when we feel stuck maybe it is for a bigger purpose. 
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.  Ephesians 3:20