Are you a lifesaver?

Image of John The Baptist (copyright of Testament Trumps Ltd 2009)

We are all familiar with the fact that Jesus calls us to be Kings and Priests and we can see this backed up through the scriptures Rev 1:6 and Psalm 82. The bible also records that we will be Sons of God - no longer slaves, no longer of a particular 'race' and even no longer male or female (Galations 3:28).

Clearly Jesus wants us to see ourselves like He does. He doesn't get caught up in the problems of the flesh which are seen, rather He views things in the Spiritual realm where things are unseen but where He is the final authority. That's right, what He says Goes! If Jesus says be Healed, you are healed! If He says be set free from your burdens, then you are! It's hard to imagine, but He broke every yolk when He died on the cross and He paid the costly price to redeem us from them.

The really great news is that Jesus (our life saver) goes on to say that He gives us the same authority as He has! Through the revelation of His Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit He enables us to do things today which seem impossible. He works through us in the same way that He worked through the apostles and early believers - what GREAT NEWS.

So if we are in the priviledged position of being pulled out of the water and equipped with everything necessary tool to save others, is it fair to say we are Life savers? The scriptures record that in order to see the Kingdom of Heaven a man must be born again - through water and the Spirit (John 3:3).

John the Baptist said that he would baptise in water but that Jesus would baptise you with the Holy Spirit! Through this process, we are born again and given a new and everlasting life.

In our New Testament Trumps, we portray John the Baptist as a lifeguard with 'Saved on his buoyancy aid. He truely saved people and encouraged them to repent of their sins whilst there was still time!

So, if you are Saved in the name of Jesus, consider yourself like John, the baptiser, the life guard! Encourage others to guard their lives, their ways and their heart. But most of all, use your calling as a priest to act as a life saver and lead those around you to the Lord - while there is still time.

Never Give up!

This is a really inspiring video for anyone who is going through a tough time. This great dad and son video is a great reflection of how God responds to us when we most need him. Seeing this father come and support his son reminds me and encourages me to be the same supportive dad to my 3 boys. At the same time, I hope and pray that each of my boys will have the determination to see their race through to the end!

What a great video!

http://www.godtube.com/featured/video/never-give-life

Get 'Em While They're Young

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. PSALM 119:9
For many years George Barna has been a leading researcher on Church and cultural trends in America. When he appeared on our radio broadcast, I posed a question I'd always wanted to ask him: "What was the most stunning set of data you ever received?"
This is a man who isn't stunned by much. Even though he's become well known for exposing very troubling patterns in our society, his findings rarely surprise him.
This one did. He took a national sample of 13-year-olds and compared them with a sampling of adults comprising every age segment. On 12 core spiritual perspectives, he discovered no difference between any of the groups. In other words, the things a person believes by age 13 are pretty much what he or she will die believing.
This tells me something: We don't need to wait until our children are teenagers before we expect them to be able to understand major biblical truths. Things like being saved by grace through faith, not by good deeds. Things like how our hearts are naturally inclined to sin and that as a result, they need forgiveness.
As Charles Spurgeon said, "A child who knowingly sins can savingly believe."
Dwight Moody was speaking to a group of children in Scotland when he rhetorically asked them, "What is sin?" One of the children replied, "Sin is transgression of the law of God"—straight out of the catechism. Amazed, Moody responded, "Children, you must thank God that you have grown up in Scotland"—where they were systematically taught the Bible from an early age.
I pray that our children will thank God they have grown up in our homes, where they are learning the Scriptures and learning how to live.
DISCUSS
See if you can list 8 to 10 vital Christian truths or concepts that you need to begin to teach (or continue teaching) to your kids.
PRAY
Pray that God would cement your own beliefs and convictions more clearly in your mind and show you how to communicate them in real-life ways to your family and others.
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