“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 10:10

The Thief

As mentioned on Sunday, you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Imagine you own a vehicle that is valuable to you. A thief turns up, steals it, drives it around, and bashes it here and there.

Eventually, the vehicle is recovered and you get back into the driver’s seat, but now it is damaged and needs to be restored.

This is what the thief does.

He comes to steal, kill, and destroy what God has given you.

The enemy wants to damage your life, your identity, your purpose, your relationships, your peace, and your future.

But Jesus came for something completely different.

Many Years Ago

When I first started in ministry, about 12 years ago, a believer gave me a prophetic word, and image.

They said to me:

“You are like a car in a workshop and God is going to strip away all the old parts and rebuild you new.”

And I’m still working through this word so much patience is needed.

Rebuilding a Life

Christ said:

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
— John 10:10

Let the Lord Work

To rebuild your life God’s way is not always easy. It takes time, submission, humility, obedience, patience and faith.

Sometimes God has to remove things that we have become comfortable with. Sometimes He has to repair areas that have been damaged. Sometimes He has to replace the old with something new. Let the Lord work in and through you.

Restoration Takes Time

The God of the universe is also a God of timing. He made your body, mind, and soul for a specific purpose.

You are of great value, wonderfully created by God and formed in the secret place.

Psalm 139 tells us that God knows us completely. He formed us and knew us before we were even born.

And perhaps, like Esther, you have been created for such a time as this.”Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
— Esther 4:14

Perhaps God has been preparing you for the season ahead. So get discouraged., keep going daily.

Bless the Lord, and may we all live the abundant life that Jesus died to give us all.

Put your mind on the things above, and not on the things below.

You can’t change the past, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, you can change your future. Build your relationship with the Lord, seek Him, trust Him, and allow Him to lead you into everything He has for your life.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He shall direct your paths.
— Proverbs 3:5

As many of you know, we have now completed ten years of preaching the Gospel on the streets, and we are beginning our eleventh year.

Ten years of standing and proclaiming the name of Jesus.

⁃ Sharing the Good News with people from every background.
⁃ Praying, speaking, listening, encouraging, and trusting God to touch lives.

We thank God for His faithfulness throughout those years.

The 11th Hour

But as we begin our eleventh year, the number eleven can also remind us of something Jesus spoke about: the eleventh hour.
In Matthew 20,

Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Some were called early in the day, while others were called at the eleventh hour.

The message reminds us that, as long as there is still time, there is still an opportunity for people to come into the Kingdom of God.

We are living in a world where many people are searching, hurting, confused, and without hope. That is why we cannot stop sharing the Gospel.

There are still people who need to hear. There are still people who need hope.

There are still people who need to know that Jesus Christ loves them and gave Himself for them.

The Everlasting Gospel

And even at the end, the Book of Revelation reminds us of the importance of the everlasting Gospel:

“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’” Rev 14:6–7 ]

The Gospel never changes. It is still the power of God unto salvation. It still changes lives. It still brings hope. It still brings people from darkness into light.

So, as we enter our eleventh year on the streets, let us not grow weary.

1. Let us continue to pray.
2. Let us continue to stand together.
3. Let us continue to proclaim Jesus.

Please Pray

And please, before each outreach, if you are able, spend some time praying in your own words for the work on the streets and for everyone who attends.

Pray that God will keep us and protect us.

Pray that He will give us strength, wisdom, boldness, and endurance to continue.

We may not know every life that has been touched over these ten years. We may not always see the fruit immediately.

There is still work to do.
There are still people to reach.
There is still Good News to proclaim.

And as long as God gives us breath, let us continue to have mercy for others as we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
— 2 Peter 3:9

Bless the Lord, and let us all go out in the power and the love of the Holy Spirit, who makes all these things possible.

See you there, outside St. Mary’s, from 12–3 p.m., for a new season of hope.

Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38 ]

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
— 1 Peter 2:9–10

Living Chosen

When the Lord Jesus Christ chose us in Him, He did not make any mistakes.

He called us out of darkness into His marvellous light, and He expects us to grow and make every effort to live as the priests of God.

1. Live in Prayer

Always model a life of prayer and action, continually communicating with the Lord, talking with Him, communing with Him and abiding in Him.

Prayer should not simply be something we do at certain times. We are called to walk with God throughout our day, continually keeping our hearts open to Him.

2. Live Holy

Live separate from the ways of the world, keeping your spirit, soul and body clean.

Flee from fornication, idolatry and anything that pulls your heart away from God. Live a pure, wholesome life, walking in divine love and purity.

If there are ungodly relationships or influences that need to be removed from your life, do not hold onto them. Nothing is worth losing your walk with God or compromising your relationship with Him.

3. Proclaim His Praises

Be ready to proclaim the goodness of God in your life every day.

Every small battle you win, every small door the Lord opens, every answer to prayer, these are opportunities to praise Him.

Let life and good words always be on the tip of your tongue.

4. We have obtained mercy!
Our old life was dead.
Always find a reason to bless the Lord. Live in gratitude, thanksgiving and praise.

Never let your heart become hard. Never let your mouth become silent when it comes to your Lord and Saviour.

Live grateful to the very end.

Beloved

It is good to meditate on this Scripture and remember that God called us out of darkness into His marvellous light.

He chose us.
He saved us.
He loved us.
He showed us mercy.

May you carry the hope of our God and Saviour, and may you be encouraged and strengthened as you continue to walk with Him.

So let us live as His chosen people. Bless the Lord. I say again, bless the Lord!

[ I Know Who I am

We are a chosen generation
We’ve been called forth to show His excellence
All I require for life, God has given me
And I know who I am
We are a chosen generation
We’ve been called forth to show His excellence
All I require for life, God has given me
For I know who I am. [Sinach Song Lyrics.

Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said:

“The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
— Luke 17:20–21

What Is the Kingdom of God?

The Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God through His saints by the Holy Spirit on earth. We do this by keeping His Word and following His ways, rather than the ways and desires of the world.

Followers of Christ!

When we are truly saved and born again by the Spirit, we enter into the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

And again, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

The Kingdom is not simply a physical place that we can point to and say, “It is here” or “It is there.”

God establishes His rule and reign in the hearts and lives of those who belong to Him.

What Are the Benefits?

Through the Kingdom, we have access to God and come into His blessing and favour.

We receive restoration, healing, godly revelation and wisdom, and freedom from sin.

The Holy Spirit helps us to make good choices and better decisions, day by day and year by year, pointing us to the Word for direction and meditation.

As we walk in obedience, we learn to be led by the Holy Spirit in every area of our lives.

A New Life

The Kingdom gives us a new start, new opportunities and a completely new life, along with the grace to endure difficult seasons.

God abides in us, and we abide in Him. As we keep His Word and walk with Him, things begin to change. Hope is restored.

We are no longer living for ourselves, but instead obey and live under the rule and reign of Jesus Christ, our King. From here, He directs our paths.

For Us Today

We do not need to chase after everything this world offers. We need to seek Him, for He is closer than our breath and should be our very life.

Beloved, deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. He is our access to the things of heaven. Spend time with God, listen to His voice, obey His Word and allow His Kingdom to rule and reign in your life.

When the King rules in our hearts, His Kingdom is revealed through our lives.

I pray that we will all, more and more, enter into and see the Kingdom of God that Jesus Christ proclaimed and that is within us today.

Bless the Lord. May He continue to be patient and gracious with us as we grow up into all things and deepen our understanding of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in these last days—the only safe place from which to live.

“

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Matt 13.44

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
— Jeremiah 29:11–13

Peace, Future and Hope

The Lord is thinking about us, which is amazing enough, and His desire is to give us a future filled with hope and peace.

God has a purpose for your life. But how do we find the path He has prepared for us?

Here is the answer:

“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.”
1 Cor 2:9–10]

The Spirit Is the Way

Yes! Easier said than done, but how do we walk this out?

How do we know we are on the right path?

Here are some pointers towards a future of peace and hope.

Real peace has a name: Jesus. He lives in us, and He is our hope. Our lives should reflect this and be filled with peace and hope, not chaos or despair.

Pray to Me and I Will Listen

God hears your prayers. When you seek Him with all your heart, He promises that you will find Him.

We are now living under the New Covenant, and our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

It is like sitting quietly in a church with the Lord—not because He is far away, but because He lives in us by His Spirit.

Talk to Him. You have access to Him 24/7.

The Personal God

Beloved, all that God has prepared for us is found in Him, and He lives in us by the Holy Spirit.

Be led by Him as much as you can, and give no quarter to the flesh.

Make every effort each day to abide in Him. Life is too difficult to live in our own strength. Submission is key.

Don’t miss what the Lord has in store for you in this season. We cannot live according to the flesh and its desires and expect to walk in the fullness of what God has prepared for us.

Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and walk in the wisdom He has freely given you.

Bless the Lord!

Live in hope. Live in peace.

And anything that is continually stealing that peace—deal with it. Cut off what needs to be cut off.

The season is changing, and we need to walk with the Spirit.

Meditate on these Scriptures with joy and thanksgiving, and trust the Lord with your future.

He has not forgotten you.
He has a future for you.
He is your peace.
He is your hope.

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”
— Psalm 27:13

Beloved,

This morning I was in the garden collecting blackberries to add to my banana and egg pancake—it tastes so nice, almost like a muffin.

However, all the dead and withered branches were blocking me from reaching the fruit. So I got to pruning…

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples
— John 15.1-8

Prune Dead Branches

The word on Sunday was about times and seasons. Sometimes God calls us into a new season by first asking us to remove the old things that no longer produce fruit in our lives.

It may be an old habit, a mindset, a way of thinking, an unhealthy relationship, or anything that hinders your walk with Christ. The invitation is simple: cut it off so that new life can grow.

A New Perspective

As I was pruning some branches, the Lord showed me something. Once the dead and overgrown branches were removed, I had a completely different view. From a new angle, I could suddenly see fruit that had been hidden all along.

Sometimes old things hide the new things God is doing. We become comfortable with what is familiar, even when it no longer bears fruit. But when we allow the Lord to prune our lives, He gives us fresh vision, new growth, and reveals blessings that were there all along but hidden behind what needed to be removed.

“Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
— John 15:2

Short Prayer:
Lord, show me anything in my life that no longer bears fruit. Give me the courage to let go of the old, embrace the new season You have prepared, and help me bear even more fruit for Your glory. Amen.]

Beloved of God,

Make those changes today. Don’t hesitate or procrastinate. Don’t let this message become redundant—take action. Write it down and start the pruning.

Bless the Lord, who has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Live the life Christ died to give you with purpose.

He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it
use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”
— Luke 13.8

“Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go near and overtake this chariot.’”
— Acts 8:29

“While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.’”
— Acts 10:19–20

“Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover, these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.”
— Acts 11:12

“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’”
— Acts 13:2

“And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.”
— Acts 20:22–23

“When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, “So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”’
— Acts 21:11

For You

What has the Holy Spirit been saying to you lately?

His leading will always remain within, or agree with, the Word of God.

He is very gentle, and as the Bible mentions, a still small voice. He will always produce peaceful fruit and encourage you in love.

All Truth

The Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth: about yourself, about Christ, and He is the One who glorifies Christ in you.

How to Know

However the Holy Spirit communicates with you, the effect or fruit in your life will always result in some type of transformation: love for God and love for God’s people, since He does not create isolation or separation, but unity and oneness.

Beloved, use your time wisely by having a deep desire to be led by the Holy Spirit, He is the source of power, love and a sound mind.

He is also referred to as the Spirit of Holiness. Let us all be better listeners since in the end times it is written in Revelation:

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
— Revelation 3:22

Trust God daily, since He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who sent the Comforter to help us during these difficult times.

Bless the Lord.

And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but
the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice
— 1 Kings 19.11

Beloved believer,

As we trust in the Lord, His peace enters our hearts, and from there flows into our minds like a gentle river, moving away fear, worry, and strongholds, bit by bit, as the process allows.

Mindset Is Key

The Holy Spirit tells us that the carnal mind is at enmity with God.

Left unchecked, it works against God’s purposes for our lives. It seeks to rob us of our peace, our joy, and revelation. It is always in unbelief, producing its own fruit.

Our minds are not meant to rule us. They are meant to be brought under the Lordship of Christ.

Scripture teaches that we must renew our minds daily. As we surrender our thoughts to the Lord, He gives us the wisdom, guidance, and instruction we need at the right time.

As Scripture says:

“For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction.”
— Job 33:14–16

How Do You Sleep?

We are not supposed to be restless or up all night with broken sleep or struggling to sleep. God says, “When deep sleep falls upon men.”

Don’t skip this part. Make every effort for deep sleep to visit you each night, giving God the opportunity to speak to us through dreams and visions.

Don’t lose out. Receive your instruction and more.

Test the Dream or Vision

However, every dream, vision, impression, or message must be tested against the Holy Scriptures.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God…”
— 1 John 4:1

May the Lord help you develop that mind of Christ that He died on the cross to give you. May you have deep revelatory dreams and visions that give you hope and inspire you, and may this produce fruit in your life. Bless the Lord.

“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.”
— Isaiah 26:3

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need
— Hebrews 4:14–16

Come Boldly

Beloved, the beautiful truth is that God came in the flesh so that He could fully relate to our struggles and weaknesses, since we are all flesh and blood.

Jesus knows:

– Temptation
– Sorrow
– Suffering
– Rejection
– Physical pain
– Weariness

He experienced every trial of this life, yet without sin. Therefore, He is able to sympathise with every weakness and every burden we carry. Let’s all come to Him.

The Invitation

Whatever we are going through, Jesus understands us deeply and invites us to come boldly to Him.

Let your requests be made known to Him. He already knows our needs, yet He desires us to come and ask in faith.

When we come with sincerity of heart and believe, our burdens begin to lift, hope is restored, and we receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

Even when we cannot yet see the answer, we can trust His promise:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose
— Romans 8:28

God is always at work for our good as we love Him, trust Him, and walk according to His purpose.

Build Good Habits

Begin each day in prayer and in His presence. Ask the Lord to walk with you, strengthen you, and guide you through the day ahead.

We would never leave our house without putting on our shoes. Prayer is just as essential. Build strong, godly habits by beginning each day with God and ending it by thanking Him for His goodness and faithfulness.

Carry a living relationship with Christ in your heart throughout the day, knowing that at any moment you can come boldly before His throne of grace.

May our problems draw us nearer (Not further) to the throne of constant grace in our time of need, where we always find mercy, strength, and hope.

Bless the Lord. Live the new life He died to give you, and may we all live it more abundantly each day.

Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light
— Matthew 11:28–30

Now…

He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.

But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”

And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight and glorified God.

But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”

The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” (Luke 13:10–16)

Many Years

This woman waited many years for the healing she knew nothing about until Christ came onto the scene and set her free. Think of it—for eighteen years Satan had bound her.

Saturday, June 2017

Where were you, and what was your life like nine years ago?

Something to ponder on.

We were in Croydon on the streets doing more or less the same thing we do today—worshipping, preaching, and praying for those the Lord led to us.

The man in the picture, sitting on the bench with the grey hat, had one leg that was around 4–5 inches shorter than the other. You can’t see it too clearly, but he walked with a noticeable hobble.

Anyway, we got to pray for him. It took hours, with two of us praying, and then, right at the very end, another believer joined us.

In the middle of the healing, the man began to cry because his leg started to grow, bit by bit.

He was overwhelmed and shocked at the same time. While still sitting on the bench, he called his mother in India. She told us that when he was a small child he had a very bad accident, and the hospital wanted to amputate his leg. But she refused, saying, “No, Jesus will heal my son.” And He did—many years later.

Persistent in Prayer

Jesus told us to heal the sick in His name—whether spiritually, physically, mentally, or emotionally. Just lay hands on people, let the Lord work, and don’t give up so easily when nothing seems to happen.

At times, the anointing takes time, but pray always expecting, not doubting.

Spiritual Stamina

Over the years, we have seen God do many amazing things supernaturally. However, in the end, He has the final say.

So be encouraged in all things, whatever it is God wants to do for you.

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:24)

Keep going. Do not be discouraged. The woman who was bent over waited eighteen years. The man with the short leg waited a similar length of time.

Be at peace in all things and let the Lord work.

Bless the Lord, for He is the only real blessing in this world. Stay close to Him, and He will stay close to you. Whatever is important to a person, they will make time for.

Make time for the Holy Spirit. Build your life around the Lord, and build a history with Him over the years.

For those who are able, join us tomorrow Saturday for the outreach. Saint Mary’s at the usual time 12-3pm

[how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
— Acts 10:35