Month: August 2017

Holy Communion

Bethany Christian Living

What is Holy Communion? There are different beliefs about it. Some Churches believe what Jesus said about it is just symbolic. Others Churches believe what He said about it, He meant it as He said it. Just an example of what I am trying to say, look at John 6:51 as an example. ‘I am the living bread which comes down from heaven: if anyone eats this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give is for the life of the world is my flesh.’

Some Church leaders keep away from verses that contradict their denominational beliefs so that the congregation don’t get to hear of these verses unless they read verses like John 6: 51 for themselves. There are so many verses that back up what Jesus said as what He says He means. For example 1 Cor. 11:27… Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup unworthy will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.

Those who don’t believe the bread and the wine turned into the body and blood of Christ is for today, please read John 6:22 onwards. I am sure it will convince you the truth of Jesus’s words to be exactly what He meant it to be, if you ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you.

Another thing some churches don’t practise Holy Communion at all, while others practise it once a month some once a week and very few every day. I believe in doing it every day. Not only does it please God (God has told me to do it every day), but it strengthens you to tackle your trials throughout the day. I know most of us are being heavily attack by the devil, so think about it. I am sure you won’t regret doing it every day and you will see what I mean by strengthening you, if you do it with faith.

Doing Holy Communion at Home

For His blood I use raspberry cordial because it is the most convenient thing I have. I remember the first time I did Communion at home, I raised the bread up to be consecrated to be the body of Jesus without any trouble, but when I raised up the cordial, I said to God I won’t consecrated to be your blood, because it is too unworthy, meaning not wine like Jesus used. The moment I said that I felt a very strong and really sad presence, because He wanted me to. So from then onwards I used cordial because I know God will accept it. I often call Jesus God, since He is God the second person, so I hope I am not confusing anybody.

Just because your Church doesn’t celebrate Communion every day, doesn’t mean you should be without. You can do it anyway you feel God’s Spirit leading you. Any prayer you feel is urgent to say, say it in Communion. The way I do it just to give you an idea is I start with a reading a Psalm that I randomly open up to, believing God has chosen it for me. Then I read about three pages of short Bible promises and then some more prayers, mostly from the Crusade of Prayer book. Just before consecrating time I read out John 6:53-58

Jesus said. ‘I tell you most solemnly if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I shall raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him. As I am sent by the living Father, so whoever eats me will draw life from me. This is the bread come down from heaven not like the bread our ancestors ate. They are dead, but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.

And then some more prayers after I have eaten and drunk His Blood.

Of course you can do your own Communion anyway you like. As long as you are sincere about it. God will bless it.

Picking Up our Cross and Following Jesus

Bethany Christian Living

Today I was asked to do a small favour and I wasn’t too happy about it. Then I started thinking to do it with joy in my heart, knowing that it is what God wants of me. I found it hard and then I was reminded of Jesus teaching us in the Gospel pages, to pick up our cross and follow Him. The cross is anything that your flesh would not want you to do. It is a way to die to self for the love of God and be reborn of Him more each time you deprive yourself for Him. Then I was thinking about martyrs for God. Some people will obey God and be a martyr for Him, which is good. There are others who love God even more and see it as a privilege and a great honour to share in the sufferings of Jesus while there is still time to do it. While I was thinking about that a thought came to me those martyrs only suffer a shadow of what Jesus suffered for them. Nobody is so strong in the love and faith of God that we are willing to suffer what Jesus suffered for us totally.

I am now praying in earnest for the grace of a great love of God that I am willing to pick up my cross doesn’t matter what it is and follow Jesus. In some things I am already doing that, but there is plenty of other areas that I am not, such as housework. And to think of putting a smile on Jesus face when we please Him is a marvellous reward in itself.

Listening to God’s Voice

Bethany Supernatural Gifts from God

I haven’t written for quite some time now. God has been very patient with me, teaching me lessons like the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge. Heart knowledge pleases God a great deal more, He responds to it, not so much with head knowledge. It has been a rough journey for me and is still an ongoing one, which I think most people are finding their journey just as hard as well. My biggest lesson is God’s forgiveness is extraordinary. It takes me by surprise when I see after torturing myself and God in not believing I am forgiven to see just how much He does.

I have a CD that teaches you how to hear God’s voice. The CD is called ‘The hearing God experience’ by Mark Virkler. It is one of the best teachings I have heard on hearing God I have ever heard. But there are plenty different CD’s out there if you went searching for it. It is so simple. I have been doing it for about nine months now. He suggest that you should have other people check it from time to time to make sure it is God really talking to you. I have made a serious mistake thinking the Devils words was from God and it got me into a lot of trouble. But when it is from God it is so encouraging and strengthening. I write it down, I find it is easier for me to do it that way.

I am still learning about humility, it is one virtue God wants me to concentrate on the most. We all have weaknesses and to see His patience first hand makes a big difference to your life. I have had beautiful visitations from Jesus that I loved so much, but also wonderful to be able to ask God a question and get an answer, it is real comforting. God is talking to us all the time, it is a matter of learning how to listen to Him.  Most of us haven’t be taught how. It is not so much a voice but a thought.

 

Reasons Why We Should Be water Baptised

Bethany Christian Living

The most important reason is that Jesus himself was baptised. John even question him, because John knew he was unworthy to baptised Jesus. Jesus replied to him. Matt 3:15 But Jesus answered him, ‘let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness. ‘

Jesus considered it to be a righteous thing to do. Who are we to think we are superior to Jesus. If Jesus was humble enough to be baptised by a mortal, why should we think we shouldn’t get baptised at all.

John 2:5. Unless one is born again of water and the Holy Spirit, one cannot enter the kingdom of God.

The wording is very straight forwarded. He is simply saying we have to be baptised with water and the Holy Spirit.

Col 2:12. You were buried with him in baptism in which you were also raised.

Gal 3:27. For as many of you who were baptised into Christ have put on Christ.

Matt. 28:19. ‘Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 4:21. Baptism, now saves you, as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:38. You must repent… and every one of you must be baptised in the Name of Jesus Christ for your sins, and you will receive the GIFT of The Holy Spirit.

You won’t receive the GIFT of the Holy Spirit without baptism.

 

Do you know God will accept another Christian to baptise you if they is no pastor to baptise you. And once more if there is absolutely no one to baptise you God will accept you to do it yourself. God is a fair God, He knows the circumstances we are in. You don’t have to be completely immersed in water either. Like it is popular to do these days. All you have to do is sprinkle water on your forehead after each time you say I baptise you in the name of the Father, sprinkle some more water on your forehead and say an in the Son and again in the Holy Spirit.

I remember when I decided to become a Catholic. I was originally baptised in a Protestant Church as a baby. I was all set up to be baptised again in the Catholic Church but both God and the priest let it be known to me, it was unnecessary. The priest just told me all I have to do is be confirmed in the Catholic Church since my baptism was accepted.

I rather be safe than sorry. It is clear in scripture we are all meant to be baptised. I rather be baptised and know there is a place for me in heaven, because I believe in Jesus Christ as my saviour and I obey him, wouldn’t you?