I was made aware some years ago that my mannerisms, the way I speak or approach others can be intimidating and/or discourteous. Though this is not my conscious intent it does not change the fact that I can produce in others a defensive or retaliatory response, especially from those who do not know me well. This means that I may find myself in a place of enmity from which I need to repent and rectify.
By John Yates—In the midst of a conversation dealing with the contemporary discipleship crisis, I sensed forcefully the Spirit saying that every space is holy and created for the making of disciples. This teaching is a call for disciple-making in a global context, for this is where the wisdom of God has confronted Western Christianity with two movements that expose its impotency.
I have always been a strong minded and self-reliant person, but the last six months (Nov 2009 – April 2010) have been the most difficult – the worst ever – that I have experienced. It began earlier than this I guess near the end of 2008 when I spent the night at Fremantle Hospital emergency with severe pain. This became a regular occurrence over 2009 along with two major kidney operations and a few exploratory procedures.
The culmination of the Easter event is the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which reveals the future hope of salvation. By His death we receive the “washing of rebirth” so that we “might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
As the Kingdom of God advances the challenge for those who are ‘sons of God’ is to become God-followers in an age of men-pleasing religion. In fact the creation is waiting in eager anticipation for the emergence of genuine sons of God. We are living in an age when God is preparing to reveal to [...]
We don’t have a shortage of leaders, but a shortage of followers of the one Leader who can transform lives and nations. We don’t need to enlarge our vision, but make it smaller and more focused. We don’t need more numbers, but more quality and consistency among the numbers we already have. We need more [...]
By John Yates Introduction An article headed Joe Dakuitoga well-versed in ways of miracles, underscored by the citation, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13) recently appeared in our national newspaper. Joe is the national coach of the Fiji rugby team, he is quoted, “”We believe God is going to [...]
Let us make no mistake brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ; the gospel is firstly a revelation of God’s wrath towards sin and sinners. In Romans chapter one Paul is emphatic “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (v16). [...]
The new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:33-34 declares that God “will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.” Unlike the old covenant of external laws and sacrifices, this is a covenant of the heart and mind. An internal covenant sealed with the indwelling Spirit of God. The new birth begins [...]
What does the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, want to reveal of Himself to the church in your city? A meeting with a friend, sharing what the Lord is saying to him about the city and particularly his leading to establish a [...]