Rivers of Living Water

Whats the meaning of life ??

2012-01-21T17:51:00.001Z

Or perhaps we can also say whats the meaning of my life ?

Its simply this - to develop a personal relationship with God. God is real and He wants to develop an intimate relationship with you.

The first disciples of Jesus Christ - the Apostles, men like Simon Peter, Andrew, Thomas & Philip, all knew Jesus of Nazareth personally. He knew them and they knew Him. Ever since then, after His death on the cross & the resurrection, Jesus Christ has been inviting people from all over the world, down through the ages, to get to know Him personally.

Many years ago now Jesus Christ revealed Himself to me and invited me to get to know Him better. I am really thankful that I accepted His invitation.

Salvation is a free gift. But if you really want it - then you need to begin to develop a personal one to one relationship with Jesus Christ. Something that Jesus of Nazareth said of Himself, " I am the way, the truth & the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14 verse 6.

Jesus Christ is the only answer to the question. Please accept this invitation to get to know Him personally.

Jesus also said, " I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance - to the full, till it overflows". John 10 verse 10b Amp.

If you want to begin some where to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ - please feel free to use the following prayer. If you pray this prayer please let us know and please begin to read the Holy Bible and find a good Bible believing church.

Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for all the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask for your forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me for ever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.

A simple illustration of the Good News.

2012-01-05T20:01:00.002Z

If you have watched this short video presentation and you would like receive Jesus Christ into your life - please feel free to use the following short prayer to do so.

Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for all the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask for your forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me for ever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.

If you do this then please share this with some one else - and please contact this ministry at abundantlife@sky.com where we would like very much to offer you more help & advice on living the Christian life.

When you are looking for God ..........

2012-01-04T09:19:00.004Z

Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ Luke 16 v29. If you are searching at all for God in your life, then I can only say that you need to begin by picking up a Holy Bible & reading it. This was where I started back in 1988 & I know of many others with the same experience. The Gospels are a good place to start.

Is there a secular afterlife ?

2011-12-27T11:40:00.005Z

A recent newspaper article had as its title - " Secular UK ". Amid claims that Christianity is slowly loosing ground in the UK. Not to other religions - but instead to the secular / non-believer viewpoint. So I simply ask the question is there a secular afterlife ?

What do I mean by a secular afterlife ? Most people I know - even those who class themselves as "non-religious" still believe in some kind of after life ie after we die. You have only got to see the following of such things as all the TV programmes about haunted houses and mediums etc to see that lots of people actually believe in some kind of life after death. We can see this as well in all the many religions of the world - where an afterlife is very much part of the religion. So if many people in the UK are looking more & more to a " secular/ non-God" belief system - do they also think that there is a "secular afterlife" - where God doesnt get involved ??

In the Charles Dickens classic - A Christmas Carol - Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his ex-business partner Joseph Marley. The ghost warns Scrooge that unless he changes his lifestyle - he too would end up chained & loaded down with all the sins & misery that he caused people in his life. Basically the moral of this is that what you do in this life - will catch up with you in the next and will greatly influence what happens to you.

In 1988 God revealed Himself to me. Since then I have been a committed follower of Jesus Christ. As a follower of Jesus Christ I have come to see that not only is God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit & heaven real - but so too is the devil/Satan and hell.

As I see it any one who thinks that the devil is just a "fun character", that the Christmas Nativity didnt really happen and that God doesnt exist - is simply deceived.

This is something that Jesus said :-

" The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10 verse 10

In the film Ben Hur there is a bit where Ben Hur says to one of his Roman captors " who took your faith from you". Most people I know who claim to have lost their faith - once had a faith of some kind ! So who took it from you ?? Was it Satan ? Quite possibly - because thats what he does. He then goes on to destroy any notion of God in your life and then that he doesnt exist either. Like in Star Wars - you're on your way to the dark side.

But there is always hope. Something else that Jesus said was this :-

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8 verse 12.

So dear friends, why are you walking in darkness - when you can let the light of Jesus Christ into your life. You can do this by praying the following prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for all the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask for your forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me for ever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.

followed by reading a Holy Bible, praying & meeting with Christians.

A thought for Christmas day !

2011-12-25T22:09:00.002Z

What did the shepherds do after they had found Mary, Joseph & Jesus - just like the angel had told them ? They spread the word concerning everything they had been told & saw. How much more do all of us who are followers of Jesus Christ need to spread the word concerning everything we know about Jesus Christ.

Why celebrate Christmas ? ( 3 ) " Then the angel said .... "

2011-12-18T20:26:00.004Z

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2 verses 8 - 14.

Such was the importance of the birth of Jesus that even the angels were involved in it. This shows just how important the birth of Jesus Christ really is ! The world needed a saviour then. The world still needs a saviour now ! That saviour is Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus Christ.

In the ancient Jewish world - names were more then simply nice names to call people. They were words that actually meant some thing. For example the name 'Jesus' means - 'the Lord saves' and the word 'Christ' means 'the annointed one'. So when we talk of Jesus Christ we can talk of Him as 'the annointed one who brings the salvation of God'. This is why we need to take notice of what He says to us!

Dear reader - you may not be looking for salvation - but Jesus Christ still offers it to you. You might not think that you need a personal relationship with God - but Jesus Christ still offers that as well.

This Christmas why not accept that invitation from Jesus Christ to get right with God. Why not start that off by praying something along the lines of the following prayer :-

Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for all the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask for your forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me for ever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.

If you do this then you will be as its refered to as "born again" as Jesus talks of Johns Gospel. But it doesnt stop here. Please make sure you tell some one of your prayerful commitment to Jesus Christ, begin to read a Holy Bible, pray - and seek out a church to join.

Why celebrate Christmas ? ( 2 )

2011-12-12T15:25:00.002Z

Did you know that God gave the address of where Jesus was born ? Well not quite the number of the road etc - but certainly the district & the town.

“ But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.” Micah 5 verse 2.

Bethlehem was the town and Ephrathah was the district. Its a little bit like London, England or Plymouth, Devon.

You see way before Jesus Christ was born into this world, God was raising up prophets to speak for Him into various situations. As part of this they also prophesied regarding a Messiah or Christ that was to come as part of Gods plan of salvation. Micah was around at about 700 BC. This was also about the time of another prophet called Isaiah. Lets see what he says regarding the coming Messiah or Christ.

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7 verse 14.

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9 verses 6 & 7.

In these two verses, two things stand out. One is the word Immanuel which means " God with us ". Also the titles Mighty God and Everlasting Father. Do you get the feeling like I do that this is no ordinary child. That through the Christ Child as He is some times referred to - God was coming to His people ? If you are not familiar with the verses - have a read of them and reflect on them yourself.

Then in historical terms - things go a bit quiet for several hundred years. Until finally out on the hills surrounding Bethlehem - things suddenly take on a whole new dramatic meaning as angels start appearing to humble shepherds - telling them that the long awaited Messiah had in fact been born - and where to find Him.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold,an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2 verses 8 to 14

Are you looking for God in your own life ? If you are do you know where to find Him ? If you dont know Jesus Christ in a personal way can I invite you to get to know Him ? After all thats what Christmas is really about !

This Christmas why not accept that invitation from Jesus Christ to get right with God. Why not start that off by praying something along the lines of the following prayer :-

Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for all the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask for your forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me for ever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.

If you do this then you will be as its refered to as "born again" as Jesus talks of Johns Gospel. But it doesnt stop here. Please make sure you tell some one of your prayerful commitment to Jesus Christ, begin to read a Holy Bible, pray - and seek out a church to join.

Why celebrate Christmas ?

2011-12-09T16:28:00.001Z

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3 verse 17.

Imagine being in a prison cell, judgement has been passed on you - but you are still waiting for the sentence to begin. Suddenly the prison guard walks in and says that you are free to go. You ask why and are told that a mystery stranger walked in and paid for your complete release. You are now free. How would you react ? What would you say ?

Notice in our verse from the Holy Bible that Jesus doesn't come to condemn the world - but to save it. The reason being that judgement has already been passed on this world. It stands condemned already. But Jesus Christ came into this world - 2000 years ago - to offer it salvation. This means that for any one who is prepared to exercise their trust & faith in Jesus Christ, wont perish but instead will have eternal life.

This is why Jesus Christ came. He gave up His place in heaven, took upon Himself human form, lived & taught amongst ordinary men, women & children - and then finally was prepared to die upon the cross - for all of mankind.

This is what its all about. Its not the presents, the party, the tree or the decorations. Its quite simply about God - and the second chance that He has offered all of mankind. Will you accept His offer today ?

This Christmas why not accept that invitation from Jesus Christ to get right with God. Why not start that off by praying something along the lines of the following prayer :-

Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for all the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask for your forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me for ever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.

If you do this then you will be as its refered to as "born again" as Jesus talks of Johns Gospel. But it doesnt stop here. Please make sure you tell some one of your prayerful commitment to Jesus Christ, begin to read a Holy Bible, pray - and seek out a church to join.

Which Jesus do you serve ?

2011-11-13T15:04:00.002Z

Footballers testimony

2011-10-14T21:25:00.002+01:00

‎" I began to understand Jesus and realised that being a Christian isnt about having a boring life but about living life and living it abundantly, as Jesus said. I had sudden peace come over me and I cant explain the joy and freedom I felt ". Part of Barnsley FC Defender Bobby Hassell's testimony in the New Life newspaper.

The state of marriage in the UK

2011-10-10T19:23:00.000+01:00

I feel the need at the present time to join the line that includes the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of England & the Free Church of Scotland regarding the present Conservative/Lib.Dem governments direction regarding marriage. Like these churches we too have very serious concerns.

Marriage in the Christian context is between a man & a woman. The Holy Bible tells us this. Also it has been the tradition in the British Isles & much of Europe for the past 1500 years to hold to this important Christian teaching regarding marriage. I see no need to change it.

What if I said that Jesus Christ was about to return ?

2011-09-16T20:44:00.002+01:00

Well for starters I would be simply quoting what the Church has believed for all its 2000+ years of history. Its so central a belief that the Second Coming pops up just about every where. But what if I said that the Holy Bible shows us that the days in which we live show a remarkable similarity to events talked of by the Prophets and secondly by Jesus Christ ?

When you hear or watch the news these days and Israel and/ or the Middle East is in the spot light have you ever wondered why ? Well for starters Isaiah tells us that the Jews after being dispersed all over the world would return to a land of their own once more. Chapter 11 verses 11 & 12. This actually happened in 1948. Have you ever wondered why there is this ongoing political struggle around Israel ? Zechariah tells us that all the nations that come against Israel and in particular Jerusalem are going to at least hurt themselves or worse. Chaper 12 verses 3 & 9.

Now also in our modern times - did you know that there are people in the world all claiming to be Jesus Christ ? One is in Siberia the other in Florida. The latter also claims to be the "anti-christ". The work of nutters maybe. But both of them have followings in the many thousands. Yes Jesus Christ warns about such a times as this. See His own words in Matthew 24 verses 5 & 24.

So if nothing else - Biblical prophesy is being fulfilled in the days in which we live. The Jews are back in their own land, nations squabble & fight with Israel and just as Jesus said - false messiahs would appear.

I heard of a testimony many years ago of where a man committed his life to Jesus Christ when the Six Day War broke out in the Middle East. For him he feared it was the beginning of Armageddon and therefore the time to get his life in order with God. Watching it on television affected him that much that he just had to surrender his life to God.

But as that event wasnt the end of this world - there are things still yet to come that will continue to show that Jesus Christ is on the way. One of these things is called the Great Tribulation. Have you noticed anything else in the news lately ? Economies collapsing, continuing disasters on a huge scale ie the Japan earthquake, tsunami & nuclear accident - and in general more & more people simply finding life a struggle. Events like this are going to get worse. How will people cope ? How will you cope ?

Will you try & carry on regardless ? Will you drink away your sorrows ? Or will you still yet turn to God ?

Many people especially in western nations have been very religious in these recent years. But they have not worshipped God - but rather a "god" of there own making. This god is " materialism and self indulgence ". But with collapsing economies - with less & less money to go round and even banks in serious problems " materialism " especially wont be there to help you. But Jesus Christ will.

You see Jesus Christ IS real. I have met Him in dreams & visions. He has spoken to me as I worship, pray & read my Bible. He IS coming back !!

Why not invite Him into your life today before its to late. Feel free to contact me.

Remember this though - a loving God doesnt send any one to hell. They actually send themselves there. Dont keep putting Jesus off - because one day IT will be too late

A warning to governments

2011-09-09T18:40:00.002+01:00

On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. Zechariah 12 verses 3 & 9.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

2011-07-22T18:17:00.002+01:00

11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, `Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17"When he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.B'
22"But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27`Your brother has come,' he replied, `and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, `Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
31" `My son,' the father said, `you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

---------------------------------------------------------
Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Bible NIV
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights Reserved

Is God talking to you ?

2011-07-18T19:37:00.002+01:00

Many years ago now whilst I was sat at the back of a church in Plymouth where I live - for the first time in my life - God spoke to me. It wasnt an audible voice - like having a conversation with a friend on the telephone. It was something that was more like a string of "thoughts", deep within me.

Four weeks previous to this, whilst sat in the same church, I heard of two things that as a non-believer I had never heard of before 1) personal faith in Jesus Christ & 2) God speaking through the Holy Bible - His word. Then on that evening four weeks later - God begins to speak to me - deep within me - using words from Holy Scripture. He said to me " how long have I been with you Philip, yet you still dont know Me ? " God spoke to me through John 14 verse 9.

Can you see some thing here - Jesus invited me to get to know Him. Not simply believe He exists - but to actually get to know Him. To effectively have a personal, one to one relationship with Him. This was all so strong that I knew that I had to get to know Jesus Christ better.

Since those days God has continued to speak to me. Through His word, through His still & calm voice in prayer, through dreams & visions and just simply seeing God at work in others.

I know that God speaks to all of us - all the time. When I intercede for other people - especially lapsed Christians - I have often heard the Holy Spirit say to me - " why arent they praying themselves ?"

If you're leading a committed Christian life - in full communion with Jesus Christ and praying often - then dont worry about this. But if you have back slidden - or you have heard God speaking to you - dont delay - begin that all important relationship with Jesus Christ. Pick up the "phone" and call God back - He is literally just a prayer away !!

What the devil doesnt want you to know ............

2011-07-09T20:59:00.001+01:00

Some years ago now I was praying with two other brothers in Christ. As we pressed into God and the praying became more intense - I was suddenly given a vision. In the vision I am very visably under ground. I can see myself standing on some kind of big ledge. To my left is a naturally made stone bridge - that has a tunnel leading off that goes downwards. Out in front of me - the ledge drops off into a great cavernous chasm. Out of the chasm a giant flame burns. Its huge just like you see out of the top of a volcano. It doesn’t die down - its just permantently there. I couldn’t feel any heat - or hear anything. But I could see the outlines of people in the fire.

Exactly what this was I am not sure - but I know what it looks like ! Many people in the days in which we live ask the question - " how can a loving God send people to hell - where they are tormented for eternity ?" The answer to this question is actually quite straight forward - God doesnt send any one to hell - they actually send themselves there !!

If a person lives a self centred life - only living for them selves - and wants to know nothing of Jesus Christ and what He did for all of us upon the cross - then where will they go when they die ? If they turn away from God at every opportunity in their lives - and live a life far from God - they will spend eternity in just the same place - some where far from God.

What is it that Jesus teaches Himself on this subject :-

As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out His angels and they will weed out of His kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping & gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears let him hear.

Matthew 13 verses 40 to 43.

Heaven exists - but so does the " fiery furnace". If you want to spend eternity with God in heaven - then you need to get right with God in this life.

What does God say about the time in which we live ?

2011-07-09T20:06:00.001+01:00

Jeremiah 2 verse 13

My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken Me, the spring of living water and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

God Himself provides life giving power to His people. But the problem is that like the Prodigal Son - we turn away from God and think that we can live our lives just the way we want. Even though we may not realise it - we actually invent idols to worship. This is what the passage referes to as " broken cisterns". A broken cistern - is not water tight and can not hold water like its supposed to.

In our lives an "idol" can be anything that actually takes the place of our worship of Jesus Christ. But God says to us that while we may think that what we " worship" does the job - so far as we are concerned. In reality it comes no where near it - and Jesus Christ is the only real answer.

Christianity isnt a religion - its a relationship with Jesus Christ.

2011-06-28T20:32:00.003+01:00

The best thing that ever happened in my life was committing my life to Jesus Christ. Christianity is not about a religion - but a relationship. By a relationship - I mean a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Who incidentally isnt dead - but is alive. I can vouch for this because He visited me in a dream just last week.

The Great Commission

2011-06-22T21:06:00.003+01:00

I had a dream sometime in my sleep in the night of 17 - 18th of June. In the dream Jesus Christ comes to visit me. In my spirit I recognised Him immediately. I instantly knew who it was - and I simply fell down and prostrated myself before Him. He asks me this question - " how is your mission to evangelise the world going ?"

I dont remember replying with anything. But He then knealt down along side me and I felt Him praying over me. Since then I have felt completely renewed - especially for evangelism. Its because of this I re-opened my Face Book account - to keep as many channels open for God's grace to flow out through.

Evangelist Philip.

Karen's Personal Testimony

2011-05-20T16:31:00.002+01:00

Say yes to Jesus !

2011-05-17T21:37:00.004+01:00

How is your life when compared with that of Jesus Christ ? Listen to this short message by Evangelist Philip Barrett.

The Gospel - put simply

2011-05-08T14:34:00.014+01:00

French - http://www.godssimpleplan.org/gsps-french.html
German - http://www.godssimpleplan.org/gsps-german.html
Spanish - http://www.godssimpleplan.org/gsps-spanish.html
Russian - http://www.godssimpleplan.org/gsps-russian.html
Korean - http://www.godssimpleplan.org/gsps-korean.html
Arabic - http://www.godssimpleplan.org/gsps-arabic.html
Hebrew - http://www.godssimpleplan.org/gsps-hebrew.html

Jesus is alive - I've met Him

2011-04-24T15:22:00.001+01:00

When I was quite young - about five years old , I had what I can only describe as a dream. In this dream I am laying in my bed as an old man and two angels appear at the foot of my bed and say to me, “ Philip its time to go”. They take hold of my arms and we literally fly out the window and out into the sky. We travel for some like this, until eventually down below us stands the figure of a man. I can still remember that this man is fairly tall and with dark shoulder length hair. I can also remember as the angels took me closer that I knew that this man was Jesus Christ. I can also remember being placed at his feet - and then later being sent back to my life - but not as an old man - but as a young man.

About twenty three years later - when I am 28, I find myself for the first time in my life with out a job. I am married to Karen and she is pregnant with our first son Stephen, on the way. We have a mortgage & bills to pay. While we weren’t in a crisis as such - I remember there was in inner struggle within myself. After a little while of this a thought came to mind one day . I called out to Karen who was out in the kitchen “ I know what I will do dear - I’ll be a vicar.” Karen laughed.

But actually the thought about being a vicar wouldn’t go away. It kept on coming back. The more I tried to stop thinking it - the stronger it got. Eventually it started me down the road of buying a Holy Bible and not only reading it - but even studying it and even trying to write a message using it. Eventually things got to the stage where I needed to go to church. So I went.

St.Budeaux Parish Church, in Plymouth, is where I went. It had an informal evening service at the time. On the evening I went they had some Spanish Christians sharing about their faith. They spoke of two things I had never heard of before - 1. God speaking through the Holy Bible- 2. and about having a personal relationship with God. I remember leaving the church and thinking all week about these two things. I kept going back to this church and on the fourth Sunday I got an answer to my questions.

It was simply this - as the Gospel reading & message was preached from John 14, I felt something switch on inside me. The bit in particular is verses 8 & 9. In these verses Jesus is talking to His disciple Philip. But so far as I was concerned that evening - it was meant for me. As I sat there listening to the sermon - and then through out the remainder of the service - as I sat in what was an other wise empty pew, I could spiritually sense Jesus Christ, sat right along side me and all the way through it was loud & clear - “ Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time.” The message was so strong - I was sat there looking right along the pew at some one who while He wasn’t there physically - was spiritually. It was just awesome ! After the service I responded to an invitation to get to know more about Jesus Christ and there that evening I invited Jesus Christ into my life as my Lord & Saviour.

All this was twenty three years ago - in 1988. Since then my personal relationship with Jesus Christ - has taken me to Lowestoft & Aberdeen with the Fishermens Mission, seen the founding of the Shekinah Mission in Plymouth & the founding of River of Living Water Christian Ministries. I have been ordained as a Christian Minister and work as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant in a Christian school. I have seen many people come to saving faith in Jesus Christ and also seen many people healed from physical illness & injury and delivered from demons by Jesus Christ as well.

Did He rise from the dead 2000 years ago ? Yes.
Is He alive today ? Yes.
Have other people met Jesus Christ in this day & age ? Yes. Millions of them.

Shocking Message - especially for rappers but in general for every one.

2011-04-17T15:00:00.003+01:00

The Fragility of Life

2011-04-13T09:31:00.000+01:00

This morning I witnessed some thing that could have been a serious accident. A cyclist missing the front of a bus - by riding right in front of it and the bus very narrowly missing the rider. A mere second later and it would have been a very serious accident. But it goes to show though how fragile life can be. One mishap - one wrong judgement and it can be all over. How much so - that we need to be right with God.

In a Christian newspaper I read - the front page article is all about a man who contracted a mystery illness - that caused his body to shut down. He effectively died for 25 minutes before being brought back to life. In that time though although the man was in human terms living a good life - God showed him that he needed to still get right with him. ( New Life - April 2011 ).

Do you want to know more about the Holy Bible ?

2011-04-10T20:38:00.001+01:00

Dear Friend,

If you would like to know more about the Holy Bible and in particular Jesus Christ - please feel free to contact me. Whether you are all ready well experienced or a complete novice in this.

We send printed Bible study resources, Christian magazines & newspapers to several ministries through out the world. In particular in Africa, India & Pakistan.

Please feel free to contact me if you feel you would like help in this way. If only for your own encouragement. We are only too pleased to help.

Revd. Evangelist. Philip Barrett Dip.TH(BMCI)Cert.Comp&Math(Open)
Founder of River of Living Water Christian Ministries.
Plymouth. Devon. UK

abundantlife@sky.com

A word from Jesus

2011-04-10T15:21:00.000+01:00

Jesus said, " I am the way, the truth & the life. No none comes to the father but through Me." John 14 verse 6.

Do you believe in God ?

2011-04-02T17:19:00.000+01:00

Do you believe in God ?

Whether you do or not, whether you consider yourself to be even be a complete atheist - Jesus Christ still died for you upon the cross.

If God is so powerful & good - why do bad things happen ?

2011-03-15T19:10:00.003Z

If God is so powerful & good why do bad things happen ?

Satans SOP ( Standard Operating Procedure )

2011-03-07T18:51:00.002Z

God is still in the healing business

2011-02-21T16:22:00.004Z

Do miracles happen in these modern times ? Does God heal still ? For the past week or so I have had a really horrible head cold. All bunged up, very sore throat and sore gunged up eyes. I have been praying about it and asking for God to heal me - often quoting 1 Peter 2 verse 24 as I did so.

Well yesterday morning as I lay in bed - simply with my eyes closed though not asleep - I had what I can only describe as a vision - of a man coming to me and told me to go & read John 9 verse 15. So I did. Later on that morning during our Sunday morning meeting a sister in Christ said to me that she felt the need to pray for my eyes. So she and the rest of the church did.

Not only are my eyes a lot better now - but so is my sore throat. That horrible cold I had has now disappeared. Praise God !

What love is

2011-02-14T19:52:00.001Z

Well here we are again and its St. Valentines Day. A day when many of us celebrate our love for each other in some way or other - usually with cards, roses, chocolates etc. All that kind of stuff.

But in our topsy turvy world where very little seems to make sense its worth considering what love is from God's point of view in the Holy Bible.

John 3 verse 16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that who ever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 15 verse 13 - Greater love has no one then this, then to lay down one's life for His friends.

John 17 verse 26 - And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which you loved Me may be in them, and I in them.

Do you feel dead inside ?

2011-01-04T10:10:00.003Z

In this powerful testimony former Korn band member Brian " Head" Welch gives a powerful testimony to the power of Jesus Christ in his life.

Have you met Jesus Christ yet ?

2010-10-27T10:57:00.004+01:00

Just lately I have heard several people talk of the differences between Religion & Christianity. To the casual observer that may be the same. But Religion is about trying to earn your way into heaven ie "to make yourself good enough".

Christianity on the other hand is simply about a radical life transforming encounter with Jesus Christ. Have you met Him yet ?

If you would like more information regarding Jesus Christ and living the Christian life - please feel completely free to contact us at the e.mail address below. We are completely confidential in this and move at your pace & not ours.

Evangelist Philip

abundantlife@sky.com

Did you know ?

2010-10-26T20:46:00.009+01:00

Did you know that there are many scientists in the world who don’t believe in evolution ?

http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~do_while/sage/v5i10f.htm

Did you know that in coal seams supposed to be millions of years in the making - whole trees have been found - not horizontal - but vertical ?

http://www.icr.org/article/polystrate-trees-coal-seams-joggins-fossil-cliffs/

Did you know as well that the remains of Noah’s Ark has been found in the Turkish mountains and that the parting of the Red Sea has been scientifically proven to be feasible ?

http://www.arkdiscovery.com/noah's_ark.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11383620

Did you also know that the Turin Shroud has also been scientifically proven to not be a fake ?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5137163/Turin-Shroud-could-be-genuine-as-carbon-dating-was-flawed.html

Did you know that God loved the world so much - which includes every body in it - that He sent His one & only Son - Jesus Christ - to die on the cross so that all those who believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. See John 3 verse 16.

Something God said to me recently

2010-09-23T20:53:00.002+01:00

As an ordained Minister of the Gospel I just have to share this :-

I was at prayer yesterday morning and the Lord said to me " too many people wont get right with Me because to acknowledge Me in their lives means they wont be able to live as they want"

How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation .... Hebrews 2 verse 3

The loss of a God consciousness

2010-09-01T11:30:00.002+01:00

I was chatting with a nieghbour of mine the other day who incidently doesnt follow the Christian faith - about the state of the world etc - I live in the UK as it is. But I suggested to him that in my opinion the reason why much of our society has such problems - and by that I mean not just the UK - but all of " the West". Is that it has lost its " God consciousness". Surprisingly for some no doubt - but my neighbour agreed with me.

In the West we have been sown a lie. The lie is that God is dead - that religion is a waste of time - that Christian marriage is but a piece of paper - and that Darwins Theory of Natural Selection etc - explains everything. Who has sown this lie - and others - the devil ! Oh and by the way - the devil/ satan wants everyone to believe that he is just some fun character - so he can hide behind it.

The thing is though - God is NOT dead. In fact its the complete opposite - He is very much alive and is active in the lives of millions & millions of people across the world. Try telling 100 million Chinese Christians that God is dead - or Christians in both Africa & India where people are responding to the gospel in their tens & some times even hundreds of thousands. Tell it to Christians across the world that suffer persecution on a daily basis for their faith. Tell it to people healed of all kinds of health problems, drug & alcohol addictions.

There is just one verse from the Bible I want to share - and its from Isaiah 59 verse 2

But your iniquities have seperated you from your God and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear.

To illustrate this - I want us to think of our Sun ( in the sky). From where we are in our Solar System the Sun is obvious - its just there in our sky and we cant miss it. But imagine for a moment travelling back to say the orbit of Pluto. What would the Sun look like then ? A great deal smaller - & minimal light & heat. Then take yourself away to our nearest nieghbouring stars - our Sun now looks like any other star. Imagine then travelling beyond our galaxy - our Sun will now to our sight basically disapear.

This is what our secular society has done to itself - and all those who follow its false system - it has basically removed itself so far from God spiritually - its as if ( to them ) that God doesnt exist any more - or if they believe in Him at all - that He isnt able to judge them any more.

If your in this position - then can I urge you to turn around and find your way back to God. He is alive - He is very active in this world - and He is waiting to welcome you home. After all why else would Jesus Christ have died on the cross for you !?

No one is beyond the reach of God

2010-07-17T19:26:00.000+01:00

I have just read today in the New Life newspaper of how Brian " Head" Welch - the ex lead guitarist of the heavy metal group Korn - has committed his life to Jesus Christ. Testimonies are always really powerful and this one is no exception.

After a life that spiraled around a cycle of drugs & depression - Brian now has a totally transformed life due to the power of Jesus Christ. He is now baptised, attending church, praying & reading his Bible. The article also talks of how another of the Korn band members - Reginald Fieldy Arvizuhad has also committed his life to Christ.

The article reports Brian as saying " Religion teaches us that we have to please God but thats not true - its all about what Jesus did upon the cross. It blows your mind when you think of how much He loves you personally - so much that He died on a cross for you."

The transforming power of God

2010-05-31T11:12:00.000+01:00

But Peter standing up with the eleven raised his voice & said ……. Acts 2 verse 14.

What a change ! I have often talked of the transforming power of God. How God can dramatically change persons & situations completely around.

Peter had been an unstable & ineffective leader amongst the apostles before the crucifixion & resurrection. He had even denied knowing Jesus at one point. Yet Jesus had forgiven & restored him. Now here he is standing with the rest of the apostles and preaching the word of God.

Time & time again I have heard of men & women who have either “fallen from grace” in some way – only to have their relationship with God restored to them or others who have thought themselves to be too far from God to ever be right with Him in the first place – surprisingly find that when they look hard enough that God is there and He welcomes them home as the prodigal sons & daughters – that we all are.

Repentance is key here. You cant be an alcoholic, claim to be healed & then carry on drinking. Jesus offers us all a brand new life. Something He said was “ The thief does not come except to steal, kill & destroy. But I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10 verse 10.

Once you take hold of that life – you cant look back. Jesus also said “ No one having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God”. Luke 9 verse 62

Are you far from God ?

2010-05-20T18:57:00.001+01:00

Yet God does not take away life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him. 2 Samuel 14 verse 14b.

If you ever thought that there is no way back to God for you - then consider this - God provides a way back for all of us. Years ago I was on duty in a mission on the East Coast of England when I had an urgent call from the steward on duty in the evening. A man was with him & in a really aweful state.

On enquiring I found out that the man was in such deep dispair that he was literally on the brink of throwing himself into a river off a bridge when a "voice from nowhere" said to him "dont do that - go to the mission". Stunned, bewildered & afraid he had stumbled his way to us. I spent half the night counselling & praying with him - and then when he was calmed down he took a room and slept the night in the mission.

I dont know anything more about this man other then we packed him off home. But I know that even when he was about to kill himself - God stepped in and provided him with a way out. Fortunately on that night - he took it.

The Death & Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2010-04-04T21:09:00.002+01:00

On the cross Jesus cried out - " Father forgive them because they dont know what they are doing ". Dear reader - Jesus forgave you from the cross - if you haven't accepted His free offer of salvation then perhaps you should. Gods love is so great that if you were the only sinner in the entire world - then Jesus would have still died in your place. Whats your response to Him this day ?

Jesus' Message

2009-10-13T18:05:00.010+01:00

In the Holy Bible it tells us that the "god of this age" in other words Satan, has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the glory of Jesus Christ. The result of this - as it also says in the Holy Bible is that if we are not a follower of Jesus Christ - then in Gods eyes, we are "objects of wrath". To the reader - do you realise where you are spiritually with out Jesus Christ firmly in your life. If Jesus is not sat on the throne of your life then who is ?

In this multi-media age of the internet, DVD/CD, satellite TV & digital radio, the world has the opportunity like never before to hear & understand the message of Jesus Christ. The message is simple - in that all human beings whether they realise it or not are living in open rebellion before God. God knows this and even though we the rebellious dont deserve it - He ( God ) put a rescue plan into operation to rescue you. This was to send His only begotten Son - Jesus Christ into our world to be sacrificed upon the cross - for you. You dont deserve it - but God offers you the opportunity to receive real life as God intended - real life - by simply accepting Jesus Christ into your life and through Jesus Christ to put yourself right with God.

This is real love. The Holy Bible tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His one & only begotten Son, that who ever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

But what if we dont accept this message - will it make any difference to us ? Well put it this way - if you go onto the You Tube website you can find many video testimonies of people who claim to have had things like near death experiences and found themselves either in hell or descending into it. In these videos they talk of the heat,the darkness, the aweful foul stench, the screaming & sheer horror of it all. The Holy Bible talks of such a place as the " outer darkness", " wailing & gnashing of teeth", " the eternal fire" or the " eternal punishment". In the Book of Revelation there is the matter of the Lake of Fire - where Satan, the beast & the false prophet are thrown into. The problem is though that if your name is not found in whats refered to as the Book of Life you'll be thrown into that same Lake of Fire as well - for ever !

Some words of Jesus recorded in Johns Gospel is this - " The thief comes to steal, kill & destroy. But I have come to give you life and that life in all its abundance.

Basically we have a choice in this life. The spiritual situation is that we can stick it out in our old way of life, take things as they come & hopefully have a good one. But the problem is that this only leads ultimately to the way of death. Or on the other hand you can realise your life is not all that it should be and come to the conclusion that God is the only one with the answers. Which way will you choose ??

Just one final thought. Many times in the Christian life you will hear testimonies of people that have been had their lives powerfully transformed by Jesus Christ after years of drug & alcohol abuse and/ or crime. When this happens its really wonderful & I wish to take nothing away from that. But what about the Joe Blogg's of this world - those with no particular problem ? The answer is simply this - you still have a problem and its called sin.

All have sinned & fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3 verse 23.

I tell you the truth, who ever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; He has crossed over from death to life.
John 5 verse 24.

I have come that they may have life

2009-04-28T17:55:00.002+01:00

In Johns Gospel ch 10 verse 10 Jesus of Nazareth says :-

The thief comes only to steal, kill & destroy; I have come that they may have life & have it to the full.

The thief in this passage is Satan otherwise known as the Devil. His intention is to steal your identity, steal your future & steal your character. He wants to kill your ambition, kill your dreams & kill your vision. On top of this he wants to destroy you until all that there is left is your death.

Jesus on the other hand gives us a future - an eternal future with Him in heaven, He gives us an identity, character, dreams & visions. Jesus will actually give you a new life.

As long as your prepared to put your old life behind you, to come before the cross, turn away from your sins and enter into the new life that Jesus gave His life for on the cross - the gift of salvation. Then a new beginning is possible. A new life is possible.

Apostle Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians says this :-

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trangressions - it is by grace you have been saved.

The 11th Hour

2009-03-15T14:33:00.002Z

The 11th Hour

In the Warner Brothers DVD The 11th Hour produced & presented by Leonardo DiCaprio, the situation concerning the looming environmental disaster, that could well come upon the world, is put over very well. Although a largly secular production, I feel that it shows that something is definately going to happen, if its not happened already !

Something that I got out of it though, is that several of the scientists and other authorities in the DVD have said that the warning signs are already there. But no one seems to be paying any real attention.

Something else that people tend not to heed is the Holy Bible. Yet within its pages are serious warnings about real events. So often people have tried albeit unsuccessfully to convince me of the fictitiousness of its contents, yet its basic contents have been proven to HAVE existed, time & time again ! Ie there was a great flood, Abraham existed, the events surrounding Ancient Israel as a nation are true, all the places mentioned in the Bible in many cases still exist today, Jesus Christ has been proven historically to have really lived & the New Testament letters are real letters to real people.

Something else though that is real about the Holy Bible, is that it contains real proven prophetic events. Typical for me of this, is when Jesus prophesied the Fall of Jerusalem in Luke 19 verses 41 to 43. In this verse Jesus is accurate in that the Romans did to Jerusalem just what Jesus says. This verse actually prophesies the Fall of Jerusalem in 70AD, when all that was left of the temple - is what is now refered to as the Wailing Wall.

But importantly three other events have happened as prophesied in the Holy Bible. The first is the return of the Jewish people to their own land - Israel, in 1948. If any one wants to know why there is so much conflict in the Middle East especially surrounding Israel please get hold of a Bible & read it. Second & thirdly in the Gospel according to Matthew 24 verses 21 to 28 there is talk of :-

a) a great tribulation & b) false christs.

Look at our world today. We are facing both an environmental & economic world wide crisis of enormous proportions - and as Jesus Christ the Son of the Loving God told us two thousand years ago - false christs have entered the world. Dont believe me ?? I can tell you there is one in Siberia & another in Florida and they both have large followings.

When Jesus Christ tells us in the Gospels to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, we better believe it ! Because I feel that in the days in which we live Biblically prophesied events are beginning to unfold

Credit Crunch - and now it's a recession

2009-02-13T16:28:00.000Z

Personally I cant help think that what Jesus teaches concerning two men who built their own houses - has at least some relevance to our current national & international financial situation.

Basically two men build a house each. One man his house on firm, rock solid foundations. The other with no foundations at all. When some really stormy weather came along not surprisingly the man whose house had shaky foundations suffered a lot and eventually collapsed, while the man whose house had firm foundations - stood firm. You can read the story for yourself in the Holy Bible. Look at Matthew 7 verses 24 to 28 and also Luke 6 verses 46 to 49.

This is like so many situations in life. Whether its employment, relationships, or learning - life is so much easier if we have something that is rock solid to build on or at least hang on to.

When the "credit crunch" story began some while ago now ( as I write ), a financial commentator from the USA reported that the problem had come about because certain people in the USA economy had been " playing loose & free with the money". On hearing this - as a Christian I couldn't help feel that this was actually like so many people with their lives.

You see what we are like so often with our money is how we can be like with other things as well. As we now begin the process of re-evaluating what we do with our money and how we look after it - perhaps for some of us, it will be a re-evaluation of our lives as well. In so doing we must consider God in this and in particular Jesus Christ.

Have you seen the news lately ?

2009-01-02T09:57:00.007Z

For anyone reading this, I am sure you cant but help notice that almost daily the Middle East is in the news somehow or other. Centre stage for a lot of this is Israel. Israel unfortunately gets a lot of bad press at the hands of the media - ever wondered why ?

It may be news to some - but God still works out His purposes through Israel. Jesus Himself was born a Jew, and His first disciples were Jewish. In fact for its first 150 years - the Church was considered a sect of Judaism.

The Jewish peoples history is a long and hard one, especially in the Second World War, when over 6 million of them died in the Nazi gas chambers. But many believe, as do I, that their return to the land promised them through Abraham, many thousands of years ago - was itself part of Gods plan. See Isaiah 11 verses 10 to 12, Hosea 1 verse 11, Ezekiel 37 verse 15 to the end & Zechariah 10 verse 10. All this began to happen in 1948, with the birth of modern Israel.

But since then Israel hasnt known much peace. In fact as I write there is yet another conflict with people living in the Gaza Strip, as well as ongoing issues with all her nieghbouring countries. As I write there is yet more ongoing peace efforts. Will anything come of it ?

This is what the Holy Bible says:-

"And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut to pieces, though all nations of the earth be gathered against it." Zechariah 12 verse 3.

See also Zechariah 12 verse 9.

Lots of Christian writers like to speculate regarding the how & when of the Second Comming of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said that only the Father knows the hour. But to be quite honest what excites me more is the "here & now" of what God is doing. As we watch our televisions, listen to the radios etc and news comes up about Israel, you can be sure that what is going to be shown, is in accordance with Gods prophetic word.

The message for the whole world is this - if what is happening to Israel now - is in accordance with the Holy Scriptures - then how much more do we as individuals need to align our lives with what God says to us ! This applies to both believer & unbeliever alike.

Whats Christmas ?

2008-12-28T20:10:00.004Z

How was your Christmas ?

This is a question I am often asked, by well meaning people. But people who seem to think that Christmas some how finished on the evening of Boxing Day. The reality though is that Christmas is a Christian festival lasting a whole twelve days.

Its a festival that marks the comming of God into this world. The Church uses a theological word - incarnate - meaning in the flesh or made present. Christmas then is a wonderful time of celebrating the birth of Jesus. Not just Jesus the baby - but Jesus the man - who died upon the cross, whose body was broken for us and His blood shed for us. Through His death He literally paid the price - redeemed us - from our sins. As the Holy Bible says - ' He who knew no sin, became sin for us '.

John the Baptist said of Jesus - " Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world".

If your Christmas was just about the presents, the parties and christmas cards - then perhaps you missed the point.

What is the Church for ?

2008-10-30T11:48:00.004Z

I am sure if you are like me, from time to time you may see notice boards outside of churches with something like this " CH_ _ CH - whats missing ?" With this answer being - U R, as in "you are".

The attempt being made is one of at least trying to attract people in to the church service. Which is fine in itself. But what is the underlying principle behind this ? What is the motivation for it ?

Charles Spurgeon the great Baptist minister of old who said that if you aren't concerned with the salvation of others then you are probably not saved yourself. If you are saved - if you have entered into the wonderful eternal life with God, that Jesus suffered on the cross for - then its only natural that you will want to share that with other people.

The Church - no matter what particular part, is meant to be a "going church". Jesus comissioned His Church to " go out into all the world ". Dear Christian are you taking your faith to others ? Are you sharing your faith with those you suspect dont have it ? Always remember there is no such thing as "private faith". As far as Christianity is concerned the faith is meant to be public. It isnt given to be kept private - but is given that we might share it with others.

We have a big God

2008-10-27T11:49:00.003Z

Did you know that no matter what your problem - God is big enough, if not more, to handle it for you, if only we would let Him. Even our biggest problem ever - is small - when compared to God the Almighty - who created the entire universe.

Jesus says to us :-

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 verses 28 to 30.

In this passage - "learn from me" stands out and the word "rest" which Jesus uses twice. If we are to learn from Jesus - then we must be in regular contact with Him - especially in prayer and Bible Study. We must also get close to Him - build a relationship with Him. Literally "rest" in Him. Rest in the fact that He can and will sort it out - if only we will let Him !

Jesus - Victorious Jesus

2008-08-01T18:59:00.003+01:00

When Jesus cried out on the cross - " it is finished " it wasn't the end. It was in fact only the beginning. The disciples along with His mother took Him down from the cross, put Him in the tomb and left the body there - thinking that, that was that, as you might say. But that as we know was not the end. Three days later He was resurrected and ascended back into heaven.

The amazing thing is - the really amazing thing - is that He is still reaching out to you and me today. Through the Holy Spirit - God the Father calls people - of all races into a relationship with Him, through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Although much of the world lives in a spiritually dark place - the wonderful light of Christ, shines out brighter and brighter, calling people from darkness into His wonderful light.

Jesus said - " I am the light of life. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life ". John 8 verse 12.

This is His victory. Jesus' victory. He victored over death. Death had no hold on Him, in fact death has no hold on Him, or ever will.

Jesus said " I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this ?" John 11 verse 25.

Jesus Christ - the real deal.

2008-05-02T20:32:00.002+01:00

Some time ago now a man that I had got to know refered to me as "sound". Used in this sense I think the word was meant as someone reliable and trustworthy etc.

But in Jesus Christ, we have someone much more "sound" then me. Infinitely more in fact ! It may be two thousand years - but His words, teachings and promises literally call out to us down through the ages. They are as trustworthy now, as they were then.

But even more then this - is that Jesus offers us more then a religious system - He offers us life and real life at that. Jesus said - "I have come that they may have life and in all its fulness."

If you are looking for something real in your life, something that you can really hold on to and trust to get you through - then I invite you to get to know Jesus Christ - He really is the real deal.

Religion or Life ??

2008-03-05T22:02:00.006Z

Jesus said - " I came so that they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of". The Message.

Sometimes Christianity may seem just a religious code that one lives by. A list of do's and dont's lived out by a bunch of religious zealots - complete with suits, Bibles and dog collars. Some of Jesus' own words to the Scribes and Pharisees - " Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matthew 23 verse 28.

But the Gospel is a message of life. True life - the life that God intended was spoilt, ruined even, by mans fall in the Garden of Eden. Ever since then the life that mankind was supposed to lead was vertually robbed from him. But God in His infinate mercy provided a saviour ! Jesus Christ.

Through faith in Jesus, who went to the cross for all of fallen humanity, we can begin again to experience the fullness of the love and life that God intended for us. But we cant do this by religion - we must begin it through personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Are you seeking affirmation ?

2008-01-19T20:54:00.003Z

Something that I have come to realise from time to time in my own life is the need to be affirmed - recognised - noticed even ! The problem is that when I feel that this is not happening I begin to feel irritable and depressed. This is something that affects me in varying degrees, in my job, personal relationships and the church.

I suppose it highlights in me a deep seated insecurity. The need to feel secure with every one and everything around me. It may have its roots in the insecurities that I used to feel as I grew up, caused I think in the main by a speech impediment - that made me feel that I was something less then what I should have been.

But as a Christian my security - whether it be personal relationship, financial, career or church etc should not be in myself, or those around me - but simply in God. Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6 verse 33 - to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

What matters ultimately to the Christian is their personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. He is their rock, anchor and firm foundation. The writer of Hebrews tells us to fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author & perfector of our faith.

If your at all like me. Then the next time we feel depressed or frustrated, then rather reaching for the biscuit barrel ( as I tend to do ), let us reach for our Bible and pray to our Father in heaven !