MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

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“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26-27

We all bear the Image of the Godhead, however marred it may be from the treason in Eden. Yet as Jesus saves us and the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, He conforms us into the image of Jesus—thus those of us who call upon Him also bear His Name. In the words of Paul, we are then to bear His Message. Scripture places a unique stewardship of the Message of Jesus on those He has saved. We are all called to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

When the heart and mind of the Godhead first decreed the creation of humankind, They purposed that man—both male and female—would bear the Image of the beautiful One who inhabits eternity. With this holy dignity came a profound burden of responsibility; to align our affections and allegiances with anything other than our Maker, our “Source,” is more than simple “sin,” to “miss the mark” as if your arrow flew past the target and you could shoot another one instead. It is treason. This is why “the wages of sin are death.” Violations of goodness and justice may not dwell alongside the truth Adam and Eve determined by word and deed to forfeit forever.

The Godhead was never going to give up on the creature they had made in their own image. In fact, the following Scriptures reveals that they knew beforehand both that mankind would need to be redeemed and that only by a member of the Godhead, God the Son paying the price for our redemption could it be achieved.

“He (Jesus) was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” 1 Peter 1:20-21

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,” Ephesians 1:3-5.

What a wonderful God we have. He loves us in a way it is hard for us to comprehend. Our Heavenly Father was prepared to ask His Son to die that we might be restored back into a right relationship with Him and inherit eternal life.

He is worthy of all our praise and worship above all else. We know we have eternal life and that God will be with us whatever He calls us to do. The big question is what are we prepared to sacrifice for our Lord?

“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.” 1 Corinthians 7:17

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. ​ Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.“

LIVING ETERNAL NOW

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All successful people set life goals and then stay focused to achieve them. However, very few people set eternal life as there principal life’s goal and yet any other goal is extremely short lived in comparison.

Sadly, very few parents, including many professing Christians, teach their children that eternal life must be their most important goal for life on this planet.

Jesus by way of His death on the Cross made it possible for all of us to achieve eternal life. He also made it possible for our Heavenly Father to send the Holy Spirit to indwell every believer to enable us to live eternal life now.

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Jesus said, ‘I have come that they may have life (zoe) and have it more abundantly.’ John 10:10

Let us unpack these two Scriptures:

“I am the way” – the way (hodos in Greek). It means the pathway, the road to the destination. For all mankind, Jesus is the way, the only way to the eternal destination of a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1).  Jesus is more than the door, He is the door and the way, the road.  Our life as Christians is to walk on that road – to be and to become more and more like Him.

“The truth” – the truth (aletheia in Greek). It means the truth – not a truth, but the truth, the real truth. For us it means the truth as taught by Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles – all recorded for us in the Bible. The truth is the bricks and mortar of the road, the safe pathway through life.

“The life” – the life (zoe in Greek) It means the life that God gives as a gift. It is the life of God Himself that He imparts to all His creation. Each living thing is given exactly the life it needs. (Bios also translated life – is the physical life we live.)

“More abundant life” How will we experience Jesus’ promise of more abundant life?  The answer is in unity/union with Jesus. Jesus is the pathway and He calls us to follow Him. (akoloutheo in Greek) It means to be a follower or a companion – going the same way, on the same path.  Jesus won’t deviate from the way – but what about us? To any degree in which we deviate from His path of truth we will lose out on the abundance He promises. You lose the joy, the peace that only God can give.

Today the truth in the Scriptures, is attacked on every side. Even amongst believers and in our Bible Colleges they don’t take it to heart, deny portions of it, preferring satanically inspired worldly ideas. The world completely ignores God and His truth and is on the wrong path altogether. But even we deviate from the path, go our own way, and then we wonder why we don’t experience life more abundantly.  

Now is the moment to consider the ‘new normal for life.’  Consider, am I following my calling in Christ, to walk together with Him who is the way, the truth, the life – at home, at work or business and in every area of my life?

Consider – the teaching of John in his first letter. This is the way to walk – walk in light (the truth), walk in love (just as Jesus demonstrated), this will be a manifestation of God’s gift of life.  Paul to the Ephesians added, walk in unity – that must first be with the Lord and then with each other, putting on the new man, being led by the Spirit of God.

Living Eternal Now is about living an abundant, joy filled life which Jesus promises every believer. Living eternal now is the way Born Again believers should be living every day. Available on Amazon as a paperback and ebook.

PROPHESIED THIRD TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM

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The Temple Institute is an organization which works to create the vessels that will be used in the Third Temple. Take a fascinating look into what’s happening today!

The vessels of the Holy Temple must be made according to the Torah and Jewish Law with all of the correct measurements. Only then, are they fit for service in the Holy Temple when it is rebuilt.

These holy vessels, built specifically for use in the Third Temple, are being constructed right now. Don’t miss this video!

Bible prophecy reveals that this temple will be occupied by the Antichrist and ultimately destroyed. Would these orthodox Jews be so zealous to rebuild the temple if they took this scripture from their Torah as prophecy?

“Forces from him (Antichrist) shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” Daniel 11:31-32

This is not the end of the temple story as Ezekiel is given a detailed description of a fourth temple that God will construct and which Jesus will occupy and rule/reign from in the Millennium.

“Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever. And the house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoring and by the dead bodies of their kings at their high places, by setting their threshold by my threshold and their doorposts beside my doorposts, with only a wall between me and them. They have defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed, so I have consumed them in my anger. Now let them put away their whoring and the dead bodies of their kings far from me, and I will dwell in their midst forever.
“As for you, son of man, describe to the house of Israel the temple, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and they shall measure the plan. And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the temple, its arrangement, its exits and its entrances, that is, its whole design; and make known to them as well all its statutes and its whole design and all its laws, and write it down in their sight, so that they may observe all its laws and all its statutes and carry them out. This is the law of the temple: the whole territory on the top of the mountain all around shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the temple.” Ezekiel 43:7-12

Jerusalem in the Millennium is on top of the highest mountain in the world

A COVENANTAL COMMUNITY AWAITING THE DAY OF THE LORD

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The church of Jesus Christ is a community of redeemed sinners bound to their Lord and to one another in the bond of love known as the covenant of grace. God gives Himself to them with the Holy Spirit to be their God and takes them as His people.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26

The covenant promise to the Jews was spelled out in Leviticus. “And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.” Leviticus 26:12

Likewise, Christians belong to their covenant Lord: “None of us lives to himself and none of us dies to himself…whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:7–8). This also means that Christians are bound to one another and must think of themselves as part of a community. 

Paul expresses this truth using the language of the body in Ephesians 4:25: “We are members of one another.” We are therefore to take our covenant brothers and sisters into account in all aspects of our Christian living. The covenant community is no place for rugged individualists. We must constantly be asking, “How will this affect other believers?”

If we love our covenant brothers and sisters, we will seek what is best for them, especially their growth in grace. This can be done in a positive way by exhortation and mutual encouragement. The writer to the Hebrews, after speaking of the blessings of the new covenant that are provided by the blood of Jesus, has this stirring call for God’s people:

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24–25)

What Day is drawing near? The Day of the Lord

“For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.” Obadiah 1:15

Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?” Amos 5:19-20

“Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes.” Joel 1:15

“The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” Joel 2:31

“The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there. A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements.” Zephaniah 1:14

Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the Lord.” Zephaniah 1:18

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.” Malachi 4:1

“And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2: 19-21

“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” 1 Thessalonian 5:1-3

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” 2 Peter 3:10

All of the above Scriptures reveal that the awesome Day of the Lord is a time of intense judgement for unbelievers. However, Paul also tells us the good news about the awesome Day of the Lord: “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8

We do not like to think about God’s judgement but Scripture is clear the time is coming when God pours out His wrath upon an unrepentant world

KENYA HOUSE CHURCH MOVEMENT MISSION TRIP TO KISII

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REPORT FROM PASTOR CHARLES

A wide door was open to our team and a warm reception was accorded to us by Mr Omwenga and his team. when we visited them at Ogembo in the Kisii region. God’s grace and favour was upon us granting peace and safety as we ministered to Kisii village administrators and local residents.
MEETINGS:
We held our indoor and out door meetings peacefully. This was answer to prayer as we had opposition on our previous trip. Our evangelism teams were able to go out most days visiting homes to pray and share the word of God with those who couldn’t come to our Central place of meeting. Gladly, all teams were able to report back with positive messages and good testimonies.
MIRACLES, SIGNS & WONDERS:
Led by elder Samson and pastor Jacob, our team entered the  home of Mr Nyakakundi, this family had been involved in a land dispute, which previously had caused intense conflict and even death amongst family members. Our team members were able to share the word of God, pray with them, and with the help of the Holy spirit they were able to forgive each other and we’re reconciled. Despite the fact that the case was already before the high court judge, they resolved to withdraw the case and settle it out of court.

In the house of Mr Odondi, our team ministered to a sick woman who was seriously bitten and injured  by a rogue dog. She was at the point of being taken to a medical facility, but before the ambulance arrived, Alfred and his team turned up, they prayed for her, she vomited and was instantly healed. She was praising God when the ambulance arrived. She later repented, believed and accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour.
In one of our tent meetings, a woman under the influence of witchcraft heard our gospel message. She repented, surrendered herself to Jesus as her Saviour and Lord. She knew instantly what she had to do. She went home and brought all her items of witchcraft back to the meeting to be destroyed as a witness to all present.
On another day, our team visited a health facility, and upon entering, they met a woman who had a severe leg wound, was sufferings from strong pain, and couldn’t walk. She was prayed for and later testified the pain was gone. Subsequently, she also gave her life to Jesus Christ .
On one occasion, led by pastor Charles and Seth, we were able to minister to a few men and women under trees. We shared with them the gospel message and prayed with them, and many believed in the name of Jesus Christ.
In many of our meetings, we were able to minister to both the sick and people with disabilities where many were healed. Amazing testimonies were shared and much praise given to our Lord, Jesus Christ.
We had a wonderful and blessed trip for which we were all very thankful. We were also humbled as the Holy Spirit was present with healing miracles, signs and wonders. The birth of a new church group in Ogembo village, Kisii was a highlight.
A NEW HOUSE CHURCH BIRTHED:
The new home group comprises eight people. We are praying and trusting God to provide this new church group with copies of Holy Bibles.
APPRECATION:
I want to give my thanks and appreciation to Brother Ron Edwards and the LEN team, together with the  KHC leaders, this is for your prayers and financial  support you have offered and provided to our movement. 
Your prayers and support has so much contributed greatly to the growth of KHC movement. And without you, our movement wouldn’t have reached out beyond Migori, and we would not have managed to fulfil our call of making disciples.

I do hope that some of my followers will join me in supporting the Kenya House Church Movement with a small monthly donation. I will keep you informed of where they money is spent and you can join me on Zoom meetings with the KHC leaders. To do so go to the Donations icon on the Home Page. If you want more information email me on ron@bakb.com.au.

THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE PROTEST LOCKDOWN IN SYDNEY

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Protesters have swamped the light rail tracks near Sydney Town Hall, as police close in on a particular group of about 100 demonstrators among thousands that have massed in Sydney’s CBD to rally against lockdowns. Protesters holding banners and flags with slogans saying “love not lockdown” and “yes to freedom” as well as conspiracy messages have brought traffic to a stop along Broadway St.

NSW Police say officers from across the central metropolitan region were deployed with assistance from specialist resources, in a bid to contain an angry mob of protestors demonstrating against lockdowns and Covid vaccines.

Total confusion reigns

As shown by these protestors some do see it correctly as an “end times” sign and a prelude to the Mark of the Beast.

A man waving a Eureka flag, who refused to give his real name, said he was protesting because he believed the pandemic was a hoax.

Some protesters chanted “Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi”, while others simply shouted “Freedom”.

Some are wearing Guy Fawkes masks, while others are brandishing signs with images of Donald Trump and carrying signs reading: “This is Gene Therapy not vaccine”.

Another said: “we’re not anti vaccine we’re pro choice”.

“There is no virus, it’s a hoax,” another man said, when asked why he was protesting today.

“The carbon dioxide is worse (than the virus).”

“You need to go and do some science lessons,” one women told the Australian.

It is difficult to understand how these people can relate to one another as they are so ME focused.

Protestors clash with NSW Police officers at Town Hall during an anti-lockdown rally in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi
Protestors clash with NSW Police officers at Town Hall during an anti-lockdown rally in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

These young people are angry and close to breaking point and anarchy which fits with end times prophecy.

“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:12-14

OLYMPIC GAMES 2020 – ANOTHER END TIMES SIGN?

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A magical globe of drones and then ‘Imagine’ is the Olympics theme song as the ceremony awoke from the lengthy and muted parade of nations, a celebrity-lined rendition of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Imagine” echoed through the National Stadium with the sparkling globe hanging above.

“Imagine there’s no heaven, imagine there’s no hell,”

John Lennon’s “Imagine” is the humanist/ planetary anthem, full of lies, including “imagine there’s no heaven; there’s no hell.” Pure lies from your adversary Satan!

Heed what Jesus Christ has to say about Hell in these two verses:

“And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,” Mark 9:43-47

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.“ Matthew 10:28

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1,824 drones light up the sky above the Olympic Stadium as the #Tokyo2020 emblem seamlessly becomes a revolving globe

CHRITIANS NEED NEVER FEAR DEATH

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Those in Christ should never fear death. The love of God continues from temporal life through to eternal life.

“The church is the only society in the world that never loses any of its members, even by death.” John Blanchard

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalms 116:15

The death of God’s people is safeguarded, watched over, protected, and secured. Much as we safeguard something highly valuable, so God safeguards His people when they die. As Jesus protected His disciples in life, so God protects them in death.

“While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” John 17:12

“For He delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence He redeems their life, and precious is their blood in His sight.” Psalms 72:12-14

When the wrath of God is poured out on an unrepentant world we are told that the lost will seek death but it will elude them.

“And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them.” Revelation 9:6

If you are an unbeliever and you are reading this post I hope you will repent of your rejection of God and His values and seek to know what Jesus Christ has accomplished for you when He died on the Cross over 2000 years ago. He died to pay the penalty for your sins so that you might inherit eternal life and not fear death.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:16-18

OBSCENITY BECOMING THE NORM

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Jesus told us that filthy talk is indicative of the need for a heart cleansing. The heart can be like a septic tank spilling over or bubbling up into our speech.

“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:452

Can Profanity Serve A Godly Purpose?
it should be noted that Christians sometimes slip up and curse too. You can be sure whenever a Christian does this, he or she is not following the Lord closely at that moment and is certainly grieving the Holy Spirit

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:29

 A filthy mouth is indicative of a foul heart. Using profanity, regardless of those who suggest otherwise or the excuses made for it, is no small thing. It makes for a vulgar, loutish, crass life and culture. Christ can deliver us from the power of such sins by regenerating our hearts. Profane words should especially never be in the mouth of a believer. But when it does happen, the follower of Christ should take it seriously, confess it as sin, and trust the Lord to forgive and take it away.

These days it’s almost impossible to escape the hearing of some “potty-mouth”. A verbal sewer and its pervasive stench permeate the air. Sadly, our society has been lowered to this. Nevertheless, it should not ever come from you and me.

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:5

This is another “end times: sign of the godless generation that awaits God’s judgement.

GOD’S NOT DEAD: WE THE PEOPLE

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“We feel honoured to provide our faithful audience another instalment in the God’s Not Dead series that provides a compelling, timely, and convicting message,” Pinnacle Peak Pictures founding partner Michael Scott shared in a statement with The Christian Post. “The themes in this film reflect news headlines and encourage believers to remain strong in their fight to protect their spiritual rights and God-given freedoms.”

God’s Not Dead : We The People is the next chapter in the faith-based film phenomena that began in 2014 with “God’s Not Dead” which starred Kevin Sorbo. Becoming one of the most profitable faith films of all time, the movie grossed over $65 million at the box office.

The film is a reflection of recent years’ headlines regarding the threats to “freedom of speech and religious liberties as the fundamental right to educate children.” Actors in this film include David A.R. White (“God’s Not Dead”), Isaiah Washington (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Antonio Sabato. Jr (“General Hospital”), and Grammy-winning Christian artist Francesca Battistelli.

“Reverend Dave (from the other GND films) is called to defend a group of Christian home-schooling families. He finds himself taken aback by the interference of the government, and believing that their right to educate their own children is a freedom worth fighting for,” the film synopsis reads. “Reverend Dave is called to Washington, D.C., to testify in a landmark congressional hearing that will determine the future of religious freedom in our country for years to come.”

This is an important and timely film make sure you watch for it and get the message out to your friends and family.