The Everlasting Covenant

The constituents of covenant are: a promise, an oath, a sign or sacrifice, a seal, and finally a shared meal.

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The concept of covenant runs right through the Bible. It is the basis of God's dealing with mankind, from the creation of this universe to its closure.

There are five clearly described God-given key covenants:

- with Noah (to preserve a functioning world until its end) [Genesis 8:21-22],

- with Abraham (a land for his descendants) [Genesis ch15, ch17]

- with Moses (laws and blessings for that people) [Exodus ch19 - 24]

- with David (an everlasting kingdom and King from his tribe) [2 Samuel ch7]

- and the new covenant (laws written on hearts and minds, forgiveness from iniquity, and the promised eternal inheritance) [Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews ch8-9]

These covenants progressively build on one another to form a comprehensive redemptive narrative. In my view there is actually only one covenant, made up of successive declarations to an individual, to a tribe, then to a nation that could be used to bless all nations. God rescued contaminated humanity through Noah, initiated redemption through Abraham, promised an everlasting shepherd-king through David, then fulfilled all of this in Jesus, making redemption available, not only to the chosen Hebrew people, but to us all.

The world functions around contract, being an agreement amongst equals, supposedly to the mutual benefit of all, yet so often utilised to exploit and control. But the Bible is based on covenant, being an arrangement between a greater (suzeraine) and a lesser (vassal). The vassal has only to offer loyalty but gets in return protection and prosperity, safety and security. Man-made covenants existed, but God perfected the practice.

The constituents of covenant are: a promise, an oath, a sign or sacrifice, a seal, and finally a shared meal.

Jeremiah (ch 31:31-34) looks forward to the new covenant, which is then quoted in full by the writer to the Hebrews (ch 8:6-12). Then we find the words:

'In speaking of a new covenant, He makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.' (v13)

Does this mean we can do away with the entire Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)? By no means. God has seen to its preservation so that we may be instructed in the complete redemptive narrative, and the crucial connection between Jew and Gentile, linking Jewish Messiah and Saviour of the world.

The wider context of the letter makes this clear. Firstly, the letter wasn't written to gentile people looking for ways to set aside the Jewish identity of Jesus, but was written to Jews who were contemplating slipping back into Jewish law in order to avoid persecution as Christians.

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Secondly, the context of chapters 7-10 is about one specific part of the covenant with Moses, that of the sacrificial system and the use of animal blood as temporary atonement for unintentional sin. This aspect has indeed been fulfilled and therefore does not need repeating. We no longer sacrifice animals for sin because the perfect, unblemished, sinless Lamb of God has been killed on our behalf. Ritual slaughter is now obsolete, the most holy place has been opened to all who repent of their sins and turn to Jesus who became sin for us and the Way to our redemption.

So all the rest of the covenant story is intact, and as relevant today as it was at its inception. The seasons promised to Noah still provide for seed and harvest. The land of Canaan promised to Abraham's descendants has been miraculously restored to them and is still their homeland despite threats from all sides. A Prophet like Moses intercedes for us in heaven. A King in the line of David sits on the throne in the Kingdom of Heaven and will one day judge us all. And today the Holy Spirit visits us, instilling His instruction into our hearts and our minds, as we look forward to sharing an everlasting inheritance with Jesus who has gone before us.

“Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way." (2Chronicles 6:14)

Author: John Plumb

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God backs you up according to His will

When we are under attack, we need to know that we are in right standing with God.

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Joshua 8:18(NKJV) Now the LORD said to Joshua: “do not be afraid or be dismayed, take all the people of war with you, and arise go up to Ai see, I have given into your hands the king of Ai his people, his city and his land”.

Joshua 8:10 (NKJV) Then Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered the people and went up, he and the elders of Israel before the people of Ai.

Joshua 8:18-19 (NKJV) Then the LORD said to Joshua, stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hands. And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand towards the city. 19So those in ambush arose quickly out of their place, they ran as soon as he stretched out his hand, and entered the city and took it, and hurried to set the city on fire.

It’s encouraging making us feel courageous when you know God is backing you up and you know He is on your side, you can say as the scripture promise in Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement. This is the heritage of the servant of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me” says the LORD.''

Having said this we can fall into the trap of being over confident, which is self-confidence, because we plan, say and do things of our own will, without first seeking the Holy Spirit to find out if it is God’s will and purpose (in front and behind us).

In Acts 19:15 (NKJV) And the evil spirit answered and said “Jesus I know and Paul I know, but who are you?”. When we are under attack, we need to know that we are in right standing with God.

In 2 Chronicles 20:14-15&17 (NKJV) Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah a Levite son of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And He said “listen all of you of Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem and you, king Jehoshaphat, thus says the LORD to you, do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 17 You will not need to fight this battle, position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed, tomorrow go out against them for the LORD is with you.

Jesus said in Matthew 18:18 (NKJV) “Assuredly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth, will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven”.

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God has given us this authority and power as believers in Him to do this. There must be agreement in both realms, if it’s not approved where God is, it will not be approved where we are. Our confidence comes from knowing we are operating in God’s will.

In 1 Corinthians 3:9 (NKJV) Paul writes “We are God’s fellow workers, you are God’s field and you are God’s building”. So we can’t go off and do our own things, don’t try moving mountains the Lord doesn’t want moving or raising anybody from the dead, except the Lazarus He called forth. We do on earth only what God has declared to be His will in heaven. And He will back you up.

May God richly bless and keep you as you do His will, in Jesus Name.

Author: Herbert Jean

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Only Jesus...

In his letter to a confused and some might say worldly Corinthian church Paul focusses on one thing: “I decided that while I was with you, I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified”.

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Before our prayer meeting for a local prison on Wednesday night, I was mulling over some things that have been troubling me. Then the person leading read from 1 Corinthians 2 where Paul writes:

When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. 2 For I decided that while I was with you, I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 

I thought about the lads in prison who are trying to reach for Jesus and I thought about our message. Jesus: the Son of God who loved us and descended from the throne of heaven:

* came as a baby

* lived amongst us (the only truly “good man” who has ever lived)

* tempted and tried in every way that we are but without sinning

* provoked by sinners to the point where He could have justly called on His Father to send angels to destroy the world

* suffered death for everyone, paid the debt of sin for everyone who would believe

* rose from death on the third day and made it clear to all the powers in heaven, on earth and under the earth that He was victorious for us

* returned to the Father and sent His Holy Spirit to live in all who believe and truly ask Him for this new life

* returning to earth one day to judge the living and the dead and receive all His followers to be “with Him” forever – with a promise that we will know Him as He knows us

This is a great and profound story with a glorious ending! Prophesied in the Old Testament, and fulfilled and discussed in the New Testament, the lynchpin of which is Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

In his letter to a confused and some might say worldly Corinthian church Paul focusses on one thing: “I decided that while I was with you, I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified”. This wasn’t though a mere matter of words; indeed, Paul says that He avoided “trying to be clever”, the words were backed up with a demonstration of the power of God, clear for all to see. Likewise reading about followers of Jesus in previous generations to ours - they retained a simple faith in the gospel, didn’t always agree on the detail, and didn’t have the benefit (if that is what it is) of our up-to-date education, learning, research and resources. What they did have though was spiritual authority and a demonstration of the power of God.

Jesus clearly lays out what the Kingdom of Heaven is and what it means to be part of it. Paul spends a good amount of his letters trying to undo the work of those who had come into the church and contaminated or added to the gospel – robbing people of their Christ- given freedom and putting unnecessary burdens on their shoulders.

More than once (see Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 10) he has to get into things like what people are eating, and what days they celebrate as “special” or don’t. For example, he talks about some followers of Jesus who realise that meat bought in a marketplace and placed before them by a host, might have been purchased from idol worshippers. 

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However, the people that he is thinking about don’t pay this any heed, because they know that to them the connection with idolatry means nothing – they are just eating meat. On the other hand, someone who is a follower of Jesus but young or weak in the faith may not be able to separate out the difference between the practice of idolatry and just eating what is put before them. Not only is this a stumbling block to them, but also, they feel the need to warn those who know that its just - meat - and it is God’s provision. Paul advises the believer with stronger or maturer faith to refuse the meal even though it will do them no physical or spiritual harm so that the person with the weaker faith will not be compromised in their spiritual walk.

So, we see two principles at work – what is and what is not the practice of idolatry and care for a “weaker” brother or sister who cannot distinguish between the two.

It seems that we have the ability to complicate everything and Paul goes around in his books in the New Testament like a spiritual “whack-a-mole” – every time he has addressed a problem in one place, another one – or the same one leaps up somewhere else.

John Westley wrote:

“I have thought: I am creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God and returning to God; just hovering over the great gulf, till a few moments hence I am no more seen. I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing, the way to heaven -- how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way: for this very end He came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price give me the Book of God! I have it. Here is knowledge enough for me.”

The full gospel of Jesus Christ is the epicentre of the Word of God and faith for all those who follow Jesus. It is the whole reason for the bible. Let’s focus on that and let the Word and Spirit do their work?

Author: Chris Pearson

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Trusting Gods Heart

Jesus!! He is the essence of God's heart of love for me and the whole world. 

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I was recently invited to a ladies evening which featured a Christian singer who I had never heard of or heard any of her songs before. The evening was lovely and I had a chance to be reunited with some ladies I had not seen in a long while. The singer shared with us how she had found the Lord and some of the things He had been doing in her life. She sang some of the songs she had written and I must admit I enjoyed the songs. But as she sang her final song I was really blessed by the lyrics as they resonated with me because of some of the life experiences I am currently working through. But I was also challenged by one line:

Though I can`t see what’s before me

I know that I can trust your heart,

And this one truth will be my story

You still reign and your still God

It was the line `I know I can trust your heart` that made me ask myself what does that mean?

When we meet someone for the first time, we tend decide whether we like them or not. Sometimes first impressions cause us to decide whether we want to spend more time with them, which can lead to us enjoying a light fun friendship or can lead to us really connecting, and developing a deeper friendship, which sometimes can develop into lifelong friendship. This happens because we get to know the persons heart and whether we can trust the integrity, honesty, and faithfulness of their character and if they can be depended on in a crisis. As well as, and more importantly, if they have my best interest at heart and if ultimately, they will not do anything to hurt me. 

So, this challenged me to evaluate.  Do I know I trust the Heart of God?  

When thinking about this I went right back to the beginning (not of time, although in some ways its all to do with the beginning of time) and thought about how the Lord had reached into my life and revealed His love to me. Jesus!! He is the essence of God's heart of love for me and the whole world.  “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT) So from our first meeting I knew that Gods heart for me was that I would not perish (die) because He had died to save my soul from death.   And so began my journey of discovering the heart of God.  There have been many milestone experiences through my life and the word of God (the Bible) has helped me get to know Gods promises for me as His child. And I have held on to so many through my life:

Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) `Don’t be afraid for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand`. This got me through 2 years of a nervous breakdown and mental health issues. 

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) `For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. They are plans to for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope`. This got me through so many times of wondering what and where the Lord was taking me and did it make any sense. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) `The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure`. This was such a gift in all the times I thought I would sink under the pressure of life, temptations and issues that seem too much for me.  That He would not allow it to drown me but He will show me how I can endure and come through the other side stronger than before 

And finally, for now; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NLT) `All praise to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and source of all comfort. He comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.' This teaches me that Gods love and heart for me is that I will survive and grow through my difficult experiences. That He will provide relief and comfort for me. And even more that no experience that matures me and strengthens me is a wasted and pointless experience. It is for my good so I can experience Gods comfort and that I can then comfort others.  

I have learned to trust the Heart of God because the Heart of God is for me.  For my development and growth. To keep me safe and protect me. To develop a relationship with me that is not superficial but deep and strong and redeeming. To ultimately bring me to Himself at the end of my life having used all the experiences in my life to perfect me and my trust and dependence on Him, my heavenly Father.

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So, because I am experiences some difficult situations in my life right now, God again assured me by causing me to reflect on whether I do trust His heart, by  revisiting some of the times I have learned that I can trust His heart towards me to be one of love, grace and mercy. 

The lyrics of the song are below. Today I pray that it will speak to you in whatever way God determines that it should. And that you will know that today you can trust Gods heart.  

When all foundations have been shaken

When I'm left standing in the dark

And all I feel is my heart breaking

You still reign and You're still God

And when it feels all hope has faded

The heavy questions hit so hard

And though my soul may feel forsaken

You still reign and You're still God

Though I can't see what's before me

I know that I can trust Your heart

And this one truth will be my story

You still reign and You're still God

I will declare that You are with me

Though voices whisper that You're not

You'll never leave me nor forsake me

'Cause You still reign and You're still God

Though I can't see what's before me

I know that I can trust Your heart

And this one truth will be my story

Your truth's still reign and You're still God

Though I can't see what's before me

I know that I can trust Your heart

And this one truth will be my story

Right You still reign and You're still God

I know You reign and You're still God

And when my enemies surround me

I'll trust the victory of Your cross

And fix my eyes upon You Jesus

For You are God and I am not

You are good and You are faithful

As You have been from the start

You're working all things for Your glory

'Cause You still reign and You're still God

And though I can't see what's before me

I know that I can trust Your heart

And this one truth will be my story, yes it will

That You still reign and You're still God

Yes, this one truth will be my story

You still reign and You're still God

Author: Jan Pearson

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A Joyful blog

The redeemed, we who have the privilege of  being called by God, have joy as part of our birthright in the kingdom of God.

It's surprising what songs come to mind when you have been in Christian circles for years, here is one that some of you may remember :

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Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return

And come with singing unto Zion 

And everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. 

They shall obtain gladness and joy 

And sorrow and sighing shall flee away 

This was a popular song that I enjoyed singing; and the result is that I can still remember it decades later. The song is based on a passage of scripture at the end of Isaiah 35:10. The redeemed, we who have the privilege of  being called by God, have joy as part of our birthright in the kingdom of God. The apostle Paul writes to the church at Rome, ‘that the kingdom of God  is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Spirit’. He also reminds the believers in the letter to the Galatians that the fruit of the Spirit includes: love, joy and peace. So when he commands the church at Thessalonica to: ‘Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances’, he is reminding them of their calling; this is who they are supposed to be. 

Joy is simple, uncomplicated, unsophisticated. In Luke chapter 10, we read how Jesus sends out the 72 to preach and to demonstrate the kingdom of God and they return to him full of joy. Then in verse 21: ‘At that time, Jesus full of joy through the Holy Spirit said: ‘I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children, yes Father for this was your good pleasure’’. Most of the songs that I can recall, which contain the theme of joy, are children's songs. I could fill the blog with them but here is a well-known one, 

The joy of the lord is our strength…repeat x4..

He gives me living water and I thirst no more…X4

If you want joy then you must sing for it

If you want joy you must shout for it 

If you want joy you must dance for it 

The joy of the lord is our strength.

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Like many things in the Kingdom of God, joy is something that we can experience in part now but the full  measure waits for us in the future when there is no more sorrow. You may know the saying about the Kingdom of God that it is, ‘now and not yet’. Indeed this was true for Jesus as we read in Hebrews12:2: ‘let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God’. There are seasons in life when we must persevere, joy may be in short supply, but we are commanded to be joyful in hope taking Jesus as our example. The psalmist captures this thought in Psalm 126: 

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

like streams in the Negeb!

Those who sow in tears

shall reap with shouts of joy!

He who goes out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,

bringing his sheaves with him.

So cultivate joy throughout your day and may you be a blessing to your community but especially to the Lord.

Author: Richard Windridge

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