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pay the price on the cross
Faith

Reconciled To Wholeness By His Brokenness

by Dudley Anderson
written by Dudley Anderson

We’ve all seen the sign, “You break it, you take it!” on the wall in fine china shops or pottery stores, implying that if you bump over an item of merchandise, you pay the price. Well, there was this shop in town that stocked beautiful vases and glass finery.

One day a man entered the shop to browse its shelves. He wasn’t a rich man. In fact, he was a pauper, a man of low means. He had no way of paying for any of the items in that shop. Yet he gazed upon the splendour of a mink vase in the hope that one day he might be able to acquire it. With that, he turned to leave. As he did, his elbow caught the rim of the vase. Crash! It was in pieces.

“Hey!” yelled the storekeeper, “you there, that vase was priceless. You will have to cover its loss!”

“But… I’m so sorry,” said the man, “I… I could never pay for my transgression.”

I Will Pay the Price

A wealthy, elegant man in the next aisle heard the commotion and came over. He looked with compassion at the pauper as he trembled before the storekeeper. He could see that he was unable to redeem himself; that he did not have the means to reconcile his fault. “Here, said the rich man gathering up the pieces of the priceless vase. I will pay the price.”

1 Corinthians 11:24 – “and when He had given thanks, He broke [the bread] and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you”

God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. I am that pauper who broke the vase. I had no means to reconcile my transgressions. My life was in pieces.  But God loved me so much that he sent his only son – his righteous graceful son – into the world to pay the price for my sin. He was wounded for my transgressions and crushed for my iniquities. Upon him was the chastisement that brought me peace. His broken body paid the price for my broken pieces.

How about you?

_________________
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the battle of choice
Faith

Love Is A Choice

by Dudley Anderson
written by Dudley Anderson

John was confronted by the greatest decision of his life. He had recently changed the focus of his career but, unfortunately, his new business was failing. His income had all but dried up. He was depressed and despaired. John was married with 2 young children and though his wife was doing what she could to keep the family afloat, their finances were thread bear. John and Pam drifted apart and they fought almost every day. John thought that if he could only walk away and start over, he would be happy. He used to love his wife when things were good but now… John faced a choice: to love or leave.

Jesus had just eaten a hearty meal for Passover and taken a walk up the Mount of Olives with his friends to pray. It was late. The eastern horizon was shifting to gentle mauve hew. Jesus knew that in a short while, he would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death by crucifixion. His friends had fallen asleep against the trees. He loved these guys and Jesus knew that Father loved the whole world. After all, he had said these words in his teaching: “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,” and this love would be demonstrated by the event which was about to take place. He could have woken his disciples and led them back to town to go to bed. Jesus faced a choice: to love or leave.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Love is a choice. The butterflies and sparkles may have faded. The one you chose to say, “I do,” to, may not boast the same physique they had when you walked down the aisle. He or she may irritate you more than a thorn in the flesh. Your life circumstances may have changed and, as you face difficulties and trials at every turn, you may desire to simply walk away. You face a choice today: to love or leave. Only by the grace of the One who loved you and gave his life for your life can you make that choice. So, above the lure to take the easy way out, I say you today, choose love.

_________

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Faith

We Are Still Praising God In The Face Of Calamity

by Dudley Anderson
written by Dudley Anderson

Hebrews 13:6 “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear…” Whatever you hear about this coronavirus pandemic, please don’t allow the calamity to attack your mental or spiritual wellbeing. Stay strong. We will get through this with God’s help.

I’ve been meditating on Psalm 103 (read it). The Lord our God, El Shaddai, is the Creator. He is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and eternal. Our God is enthroned in the highest and Christ, our Lord and Saviour, is enthroned at his right hand, crowned King of Kings. The name of Jesus is higher than any name. The Scripture tells us that at his name every knee will bow. I will bless the Lord with all that is within me. No matter what calamity I go through Jesus is still on the throne.

Alive With Christ

Christian, if you acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Saviour then God has made you alive together with Christ and raised you up with Him and seated you with Him in heavenly places. You are in Christ Jesus. If Jesus is King of Kings and you are seated with Him then – in Christ – you are enthroned above all power, dominion, illnesses, and pandemics. You are under His crown. Psalm 103 tells us that the Lord has crowned you with steadfast love and mercy.

COVID-19 is a coronavirus. That is, it is a virus surrounded by small protein extensions that resemble the corona of the sun. It is these extensions that react with our cells and cause the virus to infect us. The word “corona” comes from the Latin word meaning crown. COVID-19 is a virus with a crown and its dominion is destruction. And we know who the Destroyer is (Satan). So, let us withdraw from under the monarchy of the Destroyer and decrown the “crown-virus” for we are seated under the authority of the King of Kings. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules overall.

Christ Reigns Above This Calamity

Psalm 103 calls us to praise the Lord our God:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy; who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Together we stand and praise the King of Kings who reigns supreme.

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Tracking
Faith

Become a God-Tracker, Tracking His Plans and Purposes for Your Life

by Dudley Anderson
written by Dudley Anderson

Tracking God’s plans and purposes is the most exciting thing a believer can do. It’s amazing to think that God has a plan for each of us and His Word calls us to seek His plan.

We become a God-Tracker by acknowledging Him in all our ways and by tracking His purposes, in faith. God-tracking is letting God do what He says He will do!

“The Lord said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that My Word is fulfilled’.” (Jeremiah 1:12)

The Lord Himself is watching over His Word in your life to safeguard His purposes for you. So, resist the urge of speaking on God’s behalf or trying to feebly bring His promises to fruition by your might. Only God can fulfil His own Word to you as we see in this example from 2 Samuel 6:1-7.

David’s men had just returned from striking the Philistines at Gezer. The Lord had helped him in this mighty and victorious campaign against the enemy and David was pleased. To celebrate and give thanks to God, he called for the Ark of the Covenant to be brought from the house of Abinadab. So Abinadab and his sons, Uzzah and Ahio loaded it up on a cart and set off.

On the way, the oxen pulling the cart stumbled and the Ark began to fall to the ground. Uzzah made a grab for it to steady it but in the process forgot God’s command that no one could touch the Ark and live. Instantly he was struck down and died. Sadly, in their familiarity with the things of God, Abinadab and his sons had become complacent with His commands.

You may think it unfair that Uzzah died just because he tried to protect the Ark of the Covenant? Surely it would have fallen to the ground and shattered into pieces… or would it have? You see, God had given his Word and had commanded Moses to prevent anyone from touching the Ark, because of its holiness. This was the same God who, by His Word, had commanded the universe into being.

When God speaks no man can add to His Word. When God speaks no man can detract from His Word. God is capable of watching over His word to fulfil it. So, even if the Ark had fallen, it would have been safe. The Ark contained the 10 Commandments and, in his flippancy, Uzzah paid the price for assuming he could watch over God’s Word to safeguard it.

The Lord himself is watching over His Word in your life to safeguard His purposes for you. He has a plan for you; a plan to prosper you and not to harm you. There is hope for the situation you face today. If you seek the Lord with all your heart, you will discover His plans to restore your fortunes and give you a future.

His Word has promises health to your flesh and peace to your soul. God’s Word to you today is to trust in Him and walk in His ways without you trying to fulfil His promises. Scripture says that just as the rain and the snow come down from Heaven, and do not evaporate back to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so is His Word that goes out from His mouth: It will not return to Him empty, but will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it.

You see, God is more than capable of accomplishing all His plans and purposes for you with success and blessing. So, resist the urge of speaking on God’s behalf or trying to feebly bring His promises to fruition by your might. Only God can fulfil His own Word to you. If you feel you have been taking God for granted or have become flippant about His Word, then consider praying this prayer.

Prayer

“Thank You O Lord, for all your promises to me. Thank You that You have given me Your Word that You will direct my purposes accordingly, as I continue to acknowledge You in all I do. Thank You that You will meet all my needs according to your riches in Christ and provide me with peace from my anxieties as I pray with thanksgiving. Thank You for my health, for the people who love me and for the hope of a blessed future. I am sorry for taking You for granted and for becoming flippant about Your Word to me. Today I realise that You are very able to watch over Your Word and Your purposes in my life far, far better than I. Amen.

This article was written by Dudley Anderson of Sure Reality Media and pastor of Cornerstone Family Church. Dudley has a background in radio and is the author of God-Tracking Through the Year and Overflowing Hope. He also writes a weekly GodTracker devotional.

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God's Perfect Will For your Life
Faith

4 Ways to Remain On Track With God’s Perfect Will for Your Life

by Dudley Anderson
written by Dudley Anderson

Our God is high and exalted. He is our Sovereign Majesty, His character is supreme, His power unlimited and His will, paramount. Praying, “Lord, Your will be done,” can be both daunting and exhilarating, yet God requires that we remain in His perfect will every step of the way. However, how do I know that I am indeed walking in God’s will? How do I know what God expects of me and how do I know what pleases Him? Questions like these highlight the need to seek and track the purposes of God in our lives.

“The will of God becomes obvious only by the application of the knowledge of God’s Word, through prayer.” 

Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, when He was confronted by the will of God in Gethsemane, said, “Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Seeking and tracking the will of God in our lives may indeed, lead us to places of trial. However, remaining on track with God’s perfect will, will always end up in victory. Scripture says that Jesus set His will on the will of God, endured the Cross, scorned its shame and wound up seated at the right hand of God in glory (Hebrews 12:2).

Sometimes God’s will is obvious to us, but for the most part, the will of God seems difficult to track. Author, Elisabeth Elliot said, “The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may seem to be much worse, but in the end, it’s going to be a lot better and a lot bigger.”

Evangelist Daniel Kolenda said, “God’s will is never revealed in such a way that it negates our need for dependence upon Him.” Hindsight is wonderful. It’s very easy to look back on a trying situation and see the hand of God and identify His will through it. Yet, on this side of tomorrow, it’s very difficult to clearly know if we are tracking the will and purposes of God?

Here are four ways to help you be sure to remain on track with God’s perfect will for your life:

1. Live Wisely

Tracking the will of God requires that we make the most of every opportunity that presents itself to us. The Holy Spirit once showed me life is like being stranded in the ocean. We tread water like crazy, hoping for flotsam to come our way so that we can stay afloat in the seas of life. However, not every piece of driftwood could prove viable in keeping one’s head above the waves. Sometimes we may need to allow one opportunity to pass by before we’re confronted by the perfect raft to take us on to new shores. Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Tracking the will of God requires wisdom. Wisdom is applied knowledge and knowledge comes by the Word of God.

 2. Gain A Word from God

God’s Word is our treasure map to God’s will. Listen: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” (Psalm 119:105). Tracking God’s will requires that we stay tuned in to the voice of Him whose will we track. God’s Word is God’s will. For instance, if you are presented by an opportunity to take on a new job that tends to a little less than noble cause, seeking God’s Word will reveal God’s will on the matter. The Bible says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Will it be a righteous venture to take on a dubious role? God’s Word, therefore, has answered your question as to whether that new opportunity was God’s will or not.

Scripture also says, “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God.” God’s Word (the Bible) is our means to transform carnal decision making into wise resourcefulness. Making life’s choices based on the teachings of Scripture is wise. And wisdom also ensues from prayer.

3. Acknowledge God in All Your Ways

And Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven,” (Matthew 6:9-12). It is essential to talk to the Lod about every opportunity you face in life. It is essential to talk to the Lord about every plan, choice or decision you make. Proverbs 16: 1 says, “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord,” and verse 3 says, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Seeking God’s will in payer will open His perfect plans for your life, because… “the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.”

If you surely acknowledge God in all your ways and seek His will with all your heart in prayer, you will surely remain in the will of God. And this takes faith!

4. Walk by Faith

 Listen: “…for we walk by faith, not by sight,” (2 Corinthians 5:7). In Hebrews 11 we read that faith pleases God and that He rewards those who diligently seek him. By the Holy Spirit, James says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change,” (James 1:17). And in 2 Corinthians 1:20 we read, “For all the promises of God find their yes in him [that is, Christ].” The Lord your God is your source and your resource. He will meet all your needs according to the riches of Christ.” (Philippians 4:19).

A friend of mine once said, “When God orders the pizza, He’ll pay for it!” You can be sure that if you are surely walking in the will of God He will provide your every need and guide your every step. He who promised, is faithful so have faith in Him.

The will of God becomes obvious only by the application of the knowledge of God’s Word, through prayer. So, acknowledge God in all your ways and seek Him with all your heart, and you will be sure to walk squarely in the will of God.

This article was written by Dudley Anderson of Sure Reality Media and pastor of Cornerstone Family Church. Dudley has a background in radio and is the author of God-Tracking Through the Year and Overflowing Hope. He also writes a weekly GodTracker devotional.

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Word & Spirit
Articles

God Watches Over His Call

by Dudley Anderson
written by Dudley Anderson

 “When we face opposition to God’s call on our lives, we need to walk in the truth, while remaining still in the face of the conflict. God always vindicates truth. Be sure to persist in truth. If you are siding with the truth, you have nothing to defend.”

 My Experience

I sensed the call of God on my life when I left school in 1980. Every kid wonders what he wants to be when he grows up. When I was younger, I was into science in a big way. I loved mixing chemical concoctions in my bedroom, much to the disdain of my brother, as rotten egg whiffs would waft over to his side of the room. I always thought I was going to be a scientist when I grew up. However, God had other plans. At age 18 God placed a very clear call on my life. Every sermon I listened to, every book I read and in my daily devotions I heard the Lord calling me into ministry. At the time I had no idea what that “call” would be.

At that tender age, I was chomping at the bit to launch out into a fulltime Christian work. I made plans to attend Bible college, but then God spoke clearly to me. I visited a church where I’d never been before and where no one knew me. After the message (which likewise confirmed the call of God on my life) the pastor invited people forward for prayer. I rose and walked to the front of the church, expecting the Holy Spirit to affirm my calling through a prophetic word. This he did, however, not in the way a 20-year old ambitious young man wanted to hear. “Indeed, the Lord has called you,” said the pastor as he laid hands on my shoulder. Yes! I thought. Bible college here I come! “But he says to you today, ‘wait and be patient!’” Not what I was expecting to hear. Nevertheless, I had indeed, heard God’s Word: I have called you, Dudley.

Ten years later, after a reasonably successful time in the computer industry, God literally closed the door on my vocation. Try as I may, I simply could not jump-start my career. Then I heard the still small voice of Holy Spirit, “Now! It’s time.” Circumstance, scripture and additional words confirmed what I was feeling. It was time to venture out in faith and enter the ministry; not an easy feat at age 30 with two small children.

Thus, began my adventure of seeking the purposes of God for ministry. After 3-years Bible study, God opened the door for me, in 1994, to develop a Christian radio broadcasting ministry. In 2004 he opened the way for me to finally pastor a church – 14 years after his original call on my life.

During this time, and since, (as is typical for many who sense the call of God) I have suffered intense resistance from the enemy of God’s plans. Jesus said that Satan is the destroyer. The devil invents his own plans to undermine the call of God on our lives. But I am convinced of God’s calling. He has given me his Word. He has called me to serve him in Christian ministry, yet the attacks are numerous: financial difficulty, illness and loss, but to mention a few. However, some of the most proliferous attacks sadly come from within the Church. Through the years I have suffered more than one major conspiracy against my leadership and calling from within the Body of Christ.

Satan hates God’s purposes but our God who calls, is faithful. And God watches over his Word – his calling – to perform it (Jeremiah 1:1-12). Scripture also says, “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,” (Isaiah 55:10-11). I have discovered that the calling I have on my life is not mine, it’s God’s. It is not my ministry to defend. God’s Word has called me to serve him and he has promised to watch over his Word to perform it. He told me that his purposes will prevail in my life, provided I continue to acknowledge him in all my ways and trust him to fulfil his plans for me. As it is written, “‘I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord,” (Jeremiah 29:11). I have learned to rest in the knowledge of God’s calling and not attempt to defend my ministry.

When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord raises up his standard (Isaiah 59:19). And his Word is his standard. Therefore, when opposition comes our way we need to learn to rest in the purposes of God. When conflict arises may we do as we read about in Psalm 37, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” (Psalm 37:7). I have discovered the context of when we read the words, “Be still” in the Bible, it usually refers to conflict. When we face opposition to God’s call on our lives, we need to walk in the truth, while remaining still in the face of the conflict. God always vindicates truth. Be sure to persist in truth. If you are siding with the truth, you have nothing to defend. God is watching over your calling.

Hearing the Call of God

Knowing the call of God requires hearing the voice of God. Here are four ways I have found useful in discerning the voice of God:

  1. Scripture

God watches over his Word to perform it. The Christian scripture is found in the Holy Bible. It is the inspired and objective Word of God. God will always use Scripture to confirm a personal word or a sense of God’s instruction. The Holy Spirit activates Scripture, so always pray before you read.

Scripture presents us with the following attributes for Christian living:

a) Principle

The principles of Scripture are codes or dogma. These includes doctrine, morality and ethics. Example: “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God,’” (John 3:3).

b) Precedent

Precedent of Scripture involves models, patterns and examples of how to live, as found in the Word of God. Example: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord,” (James 5:14).

c) Purpose

The purpose of Scripture involves personal words, promises and direction for the reader. These include hearing God’s call upon one’s life. Example: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19)

The scripture, or Word of God, is not autonomous. It is always accompanied by the activation and anointing of the Holy Spirit. Word and Spirit are synonymous: The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). The Word confirms the actions of the Spirit and the Spirit activates the Word.

  1. Spirit

We believe God is triune. That is, he is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is God. When you receive a Word from the Spirit, you receive a Word from God. (By the way Jesus, the Son, is also called the Word of God.) Remember, the Word and the Spirit always confirm one another.

Hearing the Holy Spirit’s direction involves a knowing sense in the inner man (or spirit) that the Lord is speaking. This is often termed, the still small voice of the Spirit. This voice can take the form of a thought, a picture or a deep inner sense. The voice of the Holy Spirit is usually perceived in prayer, but not always. The test of the voice of the Spirit is, a) it lines up with Scripture and b) it results in a sense of peace.

  1. Signs

God sometimes speaks through signs. Signs may include visions, dreams or revelation by the gifts of the Spirit, including prophecy, word of wisdom, word of knowledge or tongues with interpretation. Sometimes, the Lord will use the sign of a change in circumstances to reveal his purposes to you.

Remember, the objectivity of scripture is always the test for the subjective voice of signs.

  1. Servants

Every true Spirit filled follower of Jesus has the Holy Spirit in him or her. Therefore, the Holy Spirit may often prompt someone else to speak God’s Word to you. However, because you also have the same Holy Spirit in you, the word brought to you by another person will always confirm what God is already saying to you. Sometimes, though, we become deaf to what the Spirit is saying to us. Often, this is when the Holy Spirit may prompt a friend to boldly speak out God’s Word.

Again, remember, the subject personal word is always confirmed by the objective Scriptures.

And Finally

God does have a plan and a purpose for you. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness then you will clearly discover God’s plans. Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways (including and especially your relationships) and he will direct your paths. When the devil challenges God’s purposes for you, keep your eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross and went on to sit at the right hand of God in glory. Always trust in God’s calling; after all, it is his calling and not yours. He will watch over his Word to you to defend his cause.

This article was written by Dudley Anderson of Sure Reality Media and pastor of Cornerstone Family Church. Dudley has a background in radio and is the author of God-Tracking Through the Year and Overflowing Hope. He also writes a weekly GodTracker devotional.

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