Partakers Church Podcasts

Partakers Christmas Thought 5 January 2022 Jesus 07: Christian Assurance

Partakers Christmas Thought 4 January 2022 Jesus 06: How can you become a Christian?

Partakers Christmas Thought 3 January 2022 Jesus 05: Was Jesus simply a good moral teacher and nothing more?

Partakers Christmas Thought 2 January 2022 Jesus 04: Why would God become human?

G'day! Welcome to Partakers Podcasts and Happy New Year to you where ever you are in this world! Last year we reached over 100 countries again, so if we have helped you in some way in 2021, you are welcome and all to the glory of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Today we are saying together a couple of prayers as we enter into the adventure that will be the year 2022! Come and pray! Come back every day to Partakers Podcasts, where there is a podcast uploaded to help you as a Christian, where ever you are in this world! See ya later! Click or tap here to download these prayers as a mp3

Partakers Christmas Thought 31 December 2021 Jesus 03: Jesus is fully human

Partakers Christmas Thought 30 December 2021 Jesus 02: Jesus is fully God

Partakers Christmas Thought 29 December 2021 Jesus 01: What's in a name?

Partakers Christmas Thought 28 December 2021 The Wise Men and Jesus

Partakers Christmas Thought 27 December 2021 The Shepherds and Jesus

Partakers Christmas Thought 26 December 2021 Joseph and Jesus

Partakers Christmas Thought 25 December 2021 Jesus

Partakers Christmas Thought 24 December 2021 Mary Part 6: Learning from the example of Mary

Partakers Christmas Thought 23 December 2021 Mary Part 5: Why did Mary have to be a virgin?

Partakers Christmas Thought 22 December 2021 Mary Part 4: Mary's Song (v51-56)

Partakers Christmas Thought 21 December 2021 Mary Part 3: Mary's Song (v46-50)

Partakers Christmas Thought 20 December 2021 Mary Part 2: Mary visits Elizabeth

Partakers Christmas Thought 19 December 2021 Mary Part 1: An Angelic Visitor

Partakers Christmas Thought 18 December 2021 A Christmas Thought of John Chrysostom In the Podcast today we are listening to the thoughts and wisdom of John Chrysostom of the 4th century, concerning the events of Christmas. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

Partakers Christmas Thought 17 December 2021 A Christmas Thought of Gregory of Nazianzus In the Podcast today we are listening to the thoughts and wisdom of Gregory of Nazianzus of the 4th century, concerning the events of Christmas. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

Partakers Christmas Thought 16 December 2021 The Spirit of Christmas by Henry van Dyke – Chapters 5 & 6 In the podcast today we conclude listening to the short story “The Spirit of Christmas” by Henry van Dyke, with Chapters 5 and 6. The book is in the Public Domain. You can download the text of the story by clicking or tapping here Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

Partakers Christmas Thought 15 December 2021 The Spirit of Christmas by Henry van Dyke – Chapters 3 & 4 In the podcast today we continue listening to Chapters 3 and 4 of the short story “The Spirit of Christmas” by Henry van Dyke. The book is in the Public Domain. You can download the text of the story by clicking or tapping here Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

Partakers Christmas Thought 14 December 2021 The Spirit of Christmas by Henry van Dyke – Chapters 1 & 2 In the podcast today we start a short story over the next 3 podcasts, “The Spirit of Christmas” by Henry van Dyke. We commence with Chapters 1 and 2. It is in the Public Domain. You can download the text of the story by clicking or tapping here Click or Tap here to listen to or save Chapters 1 and 2 as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

Partakers Christmas Thought 13 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 16 “He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.” He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.” (Revelation 21:5-7) As we saw in Isaiah 61 to 63, God has commenced doing a good thing through the Servant Messiah. At His first coming as a baby, this Servant Messiah ushered in the Year of the Lord's favour. We live in that period of time now, and it will continue until the Servant Messiah, Jesus Christ, comes again in glory and majesty. He will take those obedient followers to the City of God. For those who reject Him and the free offer of God's grace, there is the Day of Vengeance. Now in Zechariah 14, we get a different perspective. We get a vision of the Kingdom of God at that tie in the future. So let us take a flight with Zechariah, into the future to see what this Messiah's Kingdom is like, where Jerusalem where mentioned, is in fact the New Jerusalem, the City of God! God will be king and lead the battle (Zechariah 14:3)! The original hearers and readers of this letter would recall how in times past, God has done mighty things for them! Things such as the parting of the Red Sea in order to escape the rampaging Egyptians. Just as God caused the Red Sea to split in two, so says Zechariah, God will split a mountain in two, and leave a valley in the middle to escape their enemies! The Almighty and Living God is coming with His legions of angels and the saints! You can almost feel Zechariah getting caught up in the ecstatic vision! That day, as described in Zechariah 14:6-7, will be unique and special. That day is only known to Yahweh! There will be a special and unusual light! Zechariah 14:8 shows that there will be living water permanently. The old Jerusalem had poor water supply, but the New Jerusalem will have a permanent supply of Living Water! This day sees the end of the “Year of the Lord's Favour” and leads in the new heavens and new earth we discussed a couple of days ago. In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Zechariah had to say concerning the Kingdom of the coming Messiah Saviour. What will Kingdom be like? What will happen to the enemies of this Messiah Saviour? What will happen to the followers of this Messiah Saviour? What relevancy does this have with Jesus Christ?   Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

Partakers Christmas Thought 12 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 15 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.' 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.' 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. ‘Isn't this Joseph's son?' they asked. ( Luke 4:14-22) Here the prophet Isaiah gives two contrasting certainties: “the year of Yahweh's favour” and “the day of vengeance of our God”. The year of honour, as we shall see has already started. We don't know when it will end, but we know that it will. The day of vengeance will be in the future sometime. Again we don't know when that will be either. But we know it will all happen quickly, suddenly and without warning (Isaiah 60:22). Therefore people need to be ready and alert! The time of when it will occur is not known, but it is known who will end it – Almighty God. The Servant Messiah speaks without being introduced this time, and is the preacher in the year of the Lord's favour. This preaching is probably a referral to the rams horn that ushers in the Year of Jubilee as established in the Mosaic Covenant (Leviticus 25:8-55). The Servant Messiah's preaching will usher in a time of grace, justice and freedom – just as the ram's horn introduced the Year of Jubilee. The phrase to “proclaim liberty” is used in both the year of Jubilee and in this the year of the Lord's favour. This proclaimed year of the Lord's favour starts when the Messiah comes the first time and will cease when He returns again. The word “year” is not a fixed period of time as we know it, but is rather to be seen as symbolic of an extended period of time. This Servant Messiah is anointed with the Holy Spirit of God. This Good News was to be preached to the humble, the poor and poor in spirit – the Good News is news of freedom, liberty, grace and justice! The comfort they will receive should the offer be taken up, is one of being released from condemnation for sin through the Messiah's offer of forgiveness – that is grace! Because of this grace, three things will be occur for these people who have accept the offer, here referred to in Isaiah 61:3 as “trees of righteousness” : they will display or reflect the Lord God's glory and splendour; they will be priests of the Lord God service; and will inherit all things! In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Isaiah had to say concerning the proclamations of the coming Messiah Saviour. What were these proclamations? How does this Messiah Saviour speak these proclamations and to who? What relevancy does this have with Jesus Christ?   Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

Partakers Christmas Thought 11 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 14

Partakers Christmas Thought 10 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 13

Partakers Christmas Thought 9 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 12

Partakers Christmas Thought 8 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 11

Partakers Christmas Thought 7 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 10

Partakers Christmas Thought 6 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 9

Partakers Christmas Thought 5 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 8   1 ‘Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; 2 look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many. 3 The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. ( Isaiah 51:1-3) Here in the ancient book of Isaiah, we see that faith is nurtured by listening and hearing. People are encouraged to look back and see what God has done with just one man, Abraham! How from him came an entire nation! This bodes well for the future when all history is consummated – have faith in your God who will lead you into the next world! But for now, don't be afraid of what other people will do – stay close to God, have faith in Him, trust Him patiently and live obedient and righteous lives. For as stated: “my salvation shall be for ever, my righteousness will never fail.” (Isaiah 51:6) Then we come to a mounting anticipation with bated breath. Quickly the phrase “Awake! Awake!” is repeated, as if to give a sense of urgency. The exodus from Egypt, an event remembered well by the nation of Israel and alluded to in Isaiah 51:9-10, will be surpassed by a new age of righteousness at the end of time. All those “ransomed by the Lord”, those set free by God will enter the city of God with joyous singing which will be their crown! Sorrow and sadness will no longer exist! Gladness and joy will be triumphant! Alleluia! Despite many obstacles in the way, the Lord God will reign triumphant. His Messiah, His Servant will deliver you. His Servant, the Messiah, will be triumphant. In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 51 & 12, concerning the encouragement of the coming Messiah for the people of Israel and for the world. What form does this encouragement take? How does the coming Messiah inspire, reassure and support? How does any of this have relevancy for Jesus Christ? We discover how the encouragement, inspiration and support given by the coming Servant relates to the man of history we know as Jesus Christ.   Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

Partakers Christmas Thought 4 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 7 4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. 5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. 6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. 10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God. 11 But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: you will lie down in torment. ( Isaiah 50:4-11) In this the third Servant song, we see now the obedience of the Servant. This coming Servant will exhibit obedience to God, of God and trust in God. This obedience is regardless of all manner of spite, evil, malice and bitterness which confronts the Servant. Part of obedience is that we the Servant is willing to learn. This willingness to learn is a lifelong learning as indicated in the phrase “morning by morning”. What is His name? We find His name is Israel! Not the nation of Israel itself, but as a person who embodies all that Israel was meant to be and do. This Servant would glorify God in all His ways. This servant is a Prophet who is also a King. This Servant is a perfect incarnation of God's light, covenant and salvation. In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 50:4-11 about the obedience of the coming Messiah. How does this obedience give the Servant confidence, humility as well as determination? We discover how the obedience of the coming Servant relates to the man of history we know as Jesus Christ.   Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

Partakers Christmas Thought 3 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 3 1 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother's womb he has spoken my name. 2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. 3 He said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendour.' 4 But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due to me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God.' (Isaiah 49:1-4) We are now in what is called "the second Servant song!" We discover in here the Servant Himself is speaking! We have no idea of his actual name, but He does have a name (Isaiah 49:1)! In the first Servant song, with the dispensing of justice as part of His identity, the Servant is a King! But not just a King, something more as well! In this song, the Servant appears as if He is a prophet by the things He is saying. He was called Isaiah 49:1) just as Jeremiah was. The words He speaks are as if a double-edged sword (Isaiah 49:2). Despite the opposition (Isaiah 49:4), He perseveres to gain the reward and to glorify God (Isaiah 49:3). What is His name? We find His name is Israel! Not as in the nation of Israel itself, but as a person who embodies all that Israel was meant to be and do. This Servant would glorify God in all His ways. This servant is a Prophet who is also a King. This Servant is a perfect incarnation of God's light, covenant and salvation. In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 49:1-13 about the Mission of the coming Messiah, why He is coming and how that relates to the man of history we know as Jesus Christ.   Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!  

Partakers Christmas Thought 2 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 2 1 ‘Here is my servant, whom I uphold,     my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him,     and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out,     or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break,     and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4     he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.     In his teaching the islands will put their hope.' (Isaiah 42:1-4) In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 42:1-9 about the identity of the coming Messiah and how that relates to the man of history we know as Jesus Christ.   Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

Partakers Christmas Thought 1 December 2021 Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 1 In the podcast today we start to look at what 2 people from the Old Testament had to say about the events of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. These two people we know as Isaiah and Zechariah. Throughout the Old Testament, we see that the birth, life and mission of this Messiah is the aim and focus of attention. The whole Old Testament is joined together, because it all speaks about this Messiah baby, Jesus Christ. This baby, who was both 100% human and 100% divine, who later would grow in wisdom and stature. We start this adventure together by looking at an introduction to these two books of the Bible, Isaiah and Zechariah. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!  

Partakers Christmas Thought 30 November 2021 Church Worship - O Antiphons In the podcast today we continue celebrating Advent and Christmas with some ancient Christian worship! These seven O antiphons each address Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy. Read backwards, the initials of each title in Latin form the words “Ero Cras” or "Tomorrow I shall be (with you)" – looking forward to the return of Jesus Christ. The seven antiphons are: Sapientia – Wisdom (Isaiah 11:1-3; Isaiah 28:29) Adonai - Holy Lord (Exodus 3:1-4; Isaiah 11:3b; Isaiah 33:22) Radix Jesse - Root of Jesse (Jeremiah 23:5-6; Micah 5:1; Revelation 22:16-17) Clavis David - Key of David (Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 22:21-22) Oriens - Morning Star (Isaiah 9:2; Zechariah 6:12-13; Malachi 4:2; Luke 1:8-10; John 8:12; Hebrews 1:3) Rex Gentium - King of the Nations (Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 28:16; Haggai 2:8-9; Ephesians 2:14-16) Emmanuel – God with us (Isaiah 7:13-14; Matthew 1:23; John 3:16; Acts 4:11-12) Come listen and interact with an attitude of worship and prayer, and make them an act of your worship of Jesus today! Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

Partakers Christmas Thought 29 November 2021 Prayers of the Church In the podcast today we continue celebrating Advent and Christmas with some prayer! We are praying together prayers from the Orthodox Liturgy Feast of the Nativity, a hymn from the 6th century, of Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) & of Robert Louis Stevenson (19th Century). Come and listen with an attitude of prayer, and make them your prayers! Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

Partakers Christmas Thought 28 November 2021 Prayers of the Church In the podcast today, we start celebrating Advent and Christmas with some prayer! We are praying together some prayers of Augustine and Isaac the Syrian and conclude with a 10th century Advent prayer. Come and listen with an attitude of prayer, and make them your prayers! Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!

  Partakers Prayers Morning Prayer   We pray together and when Christians pray together, from different nations, different churches and different denominations - that reveals Church unity! Today we pray a Morning Prayer from the Syrian Clementine Liturgy. This Liturgy, which dates from the 4th century, was celebrated in Syria and throughout the Church of Antioch. It is the oldest model known in Antioch, and is a liturgy is related to the Apostle James. Come pray! Come! Let us pray together!   A Morning Prayer from the 4th Century Syrian Clementine Liturgy O God, You are the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings, and the bestower of affection. O God, You who sends peace to those that receive it; open to us this day the sea of Your love, and water us with the plenteous streams from the riches of Your grace. Make us children of quietness, and heirs of peace. Kindle in us the fire of Your love; sow in us Your fear; strengthen our weakness by Your power! Bind us closely to You and to each other in one firm bond of unity; for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen. and in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Amen Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file~ You can now purchase our Partakers books! Please do click or tap here to visit our Amazon site! Click or tap on the appropriate link below to subscribe, share or download our iPhone App!

Partakers Bible Thought 26 November 2021 Rachel's Story 14 After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, 15 Laban said to him, ‘Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.' 16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder one was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.' 19 Laban said, ‘It's better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.' 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. 21 Then Jacob said to Laban, ‘Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.' 22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. 23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. 24 And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her attendant. 25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn't I? Why have you deceived me?' 26 Laban replied, ‘It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the elder one. 27 Finish this daughter's bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.' 28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant. 30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years. (Genesis 29:14-30) The story of Rachel is like that of a soap opera! Rachel had a fairly complicated family structure. Rachel's sister Rebekah was Jacob's mother. Rebekah trained Jacob to scheme in order to gain his father's blessing and promised him that she would take the results of the deceitful act upon herself. Rachel became Jacob's wife, but only after Laban had tricked him into marrying Leah, the older daughter first. We can wonder if Rachel encouraged Jacob in his trickery, or if she was influenced by him to think first of herself at the expense of others. Whether his mother and/or his wife influenced Jacob, or indeed if he influenced them, both Rebekah and Rachel serve as examples of the outcome of sinful deceit and discontent. In the podcast today we will look briefly at the story of Rachel and discover together more about her and how she overcame many things against her. We delve into her story and see three things that epitomise why she is part of salvation history in the leadup to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Please do listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about Rachel, a woman of faith, and what we can learn from her as we live as a Christian in the 21st century. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about being a Christian by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon

Partakers Bible Thought 25 November 2021 Thanks to God for Ruth 16 But Ruth replied, ‘Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.' 18 When Naomi realised that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. (Ruth 1:16-18) The book of Ruth is a cameo story of love, devotion and redemption set in the black days of the Judges. It tells the story of a pagan woman giving up everything to cling to the people of Israel and to God Himself and it shows her faithfulness when the nation was faithless. Today we are going to learn about Ruth and her obedience. Indeed elsewhere in Scripture it says that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). The story of Ruth celebrates the gentle beauty of love and loyalty between individuals, and it shows the positive power of obedience to God for both personal fulfilment and wider blessing. By committing herself to Naomi, as well as to Naomi's God, Ruth found satisfaction in service. Instead of losing her identity by her voluntary and complete submission, Ruth's place in Israel and history is confirmed. In the podcast today we will look briefly at four aspects of the obedience of Ruth, that we living as Christians today would be wise to copy as we seek to follow this God with obedient lives that are worthy of Him.. Please do listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this aspect of living as a Christian in the 21st century. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about being a Christian by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon

  Partakers Prayers Persecuted  Church Worldwide   We pray together and when Christians pray together, from different nations, different churches and different denominations - that reveals Church unity! Come! Let us pray together!   Prayers for the Global Persecuted Church Sovereign God, we worship you and acknowledge that you know all of those who suffer in your name because they follow you. We remember those who are imprisoned for their faith and ask that they would join with the Apostle Paul to see that even though they remain captive, their chains have furthered the gospel, not frustrated it. May they inspire and embolden their fellow believers to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. Amen God of all comfort, for those who are tortured both in body and mind, give them the grace to endure and to see their suffering as part of following in Christ's footsteps. Merciful God, for those asked to pay the ultimate price; who are martyred because of their love for you, may they truly know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. Amen Father God, for those who are widowed and orphaned may they know the comfort that comes from your promised presence even when they walk through the valley. May they be strengthened by your Spirit, enabling them to rejoice with the psalmist as they proclaim that the LORD will not abandon them in death. Amen Heavenly Father, we ask that you would make us ever mindful of our brothers and sisters around the world who need us to stand with them as they suffer in your name. Teach us what it means to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony; we pray that we would not love our lives so much as to shrink from death. We ask these things O Father, through the name of Your Son, Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Amen Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file~ You can now purchase our Partakers books! Please do click or tap here to visit our Amazon site! Click or tap on the appropriate link below to subscribe, share or download our iPhone App!

Partakers Bible Thought 23 November 2021 Jesus Cares for the Christian 22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It's a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.' 28 ‘Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.' 29 ‘Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!' 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,' he said, ‘why did you doubt?' 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.' (Matthew 14:22-33) In his gospel, the Apostle John, records the reason why the disciples were in the boat. The crowd wanted to crown Jesus as a physical king. Jesus didn't want this to happen and so withdrew by himself and the disciples went back into the boat. The experience of the disciples in the storm can be an encouragement to us when we go through the storms of life. We all go through storms and troubles. When we find ourselves in these storms, we can rest on these 4 assurances about Jesus if we are Christians. In the podcast today we complete our look at 4 distinct ways that Jesus shows His care and concern for his followers, those who are Christians. Please do listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this aspect in the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Christian. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about being a Christian by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon

Partakers Bible Thought 22 November 2021 Christian Disciple and Healed Emotions 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23 to 24) 5 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent – not to put it too severely. 6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 9 Another reason I wrote to you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10 Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven – if there was anything to forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. God wants all parts of you to be following Jesus! That includes your thinking, your actions and your attitudes! It means your mind; your body and will are all to be under the control of the Holy Spirit! This includes your emotions. It must be said that this is contrary to some modern thinking, which stipulates that showing emotions can be a ruinous thing! In Scripture, God reveals Himself as emotional! Our Lord Jesus Christ displayed the full gamut of emotions In the podcast today we look at the Christian Disciple working towards having healed emotions. What are some of the evidence of damaged emotions in the life of the Christian? How can they be overcome? What are some of the principles to bear in mind so this aspect of your life can be in submission to God? Please do listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this aspect in the life of the Christian. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about being a Christian by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon

Partakers Bible Thought 21 November 2021 Christian Commitment 04 21 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” 23 Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” 24 ‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.' 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. (Matthew 7:21-29) The first thing that hit the first hearers of this sermon was Jesus' authority. It drove them to be astonished by him and his teaching. (v28-29). If we read the Sermon on the Mount, we too should be astonished by the teaching. If Jesus therefore has the authority, Christians above all others, should not only listen & read Jesus' teaching as given to us in the Bible, but also do it. Jesus laid down the law of God. He expects Christians to build the house of their lives on his words, and adds that only those who do so can be considered wise and will be safe. He says that he has come to fulfil the law and the prophets. He is both the Lord to be obeyed, and the Saviour to give blessing and salvation. He places himself in the judgement seat. He speaks of God as his Father in a unique sense, and implies that what he does, God does and that what people do to him they are also doing to God. In the podcast today we complete our look at Matthew 7:21-29 and discover that as part of their commitment to Jesus Christ, the Christian is to study His teaching, be obedient to their Lord and make a difference in the world which they live. Please do listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this aspect in the life of the Christian. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about being a Christian by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon

Partakers Bible Thought 20 November 2021 Christian Commitment 03 21 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” 23 Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” 24 ‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.' 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. (Matthew 7:21-29) We have seen so far in the last two podcasts, that Jesus Christ would have us know that neither a mere intellectual knowledge of him or a verbal acknowledgement of him, can ever substitute for active obedience to his commands. The question is not whether we say nice, polite, enthusiastic things to or about Jesus; nor whether we hear his words, listening, studying, pondering and memorising until our minds are stuffed full of his teaching; but whether we actually do what we say and do what we know to be truth. In other words, is the Lordship of Jesus Christ a reality in our life. In the podcast today we continue looking at Matthew 7:24-27 and discover that as part of their commitment to Jesus Christ, the Christian has choices to make. Please do listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this aspect in the life of the Christian. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about being a Christian by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon

Partakers Bible Thought 19 November 2021 Christian Commitment 02 21 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” 23 Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” 24 ‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.' 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. (Matthew 7:21-29) In the previous podcast, we see Jesus saying regarding Christian commitment, that the contrast was between "saying" and "doing". In the passage today, the contrast is now between "hearing" and "doing". On the one hand, Jesus says that “There is the person who hears these words of mine and does them.” (v24) On the other hand, Jesus stipulates “There is also the person who hears these words of mine and does not do them” (v26). In the podcast today we look specifically at Matthew 7:24-27, where Jesus warns of a mere intellectual knowledge of Himself, without any practical application of following Him. Each one of these, is a substitute for the obedience that Jesus asks for. Please do listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this aspect in the life of the Christian. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about being a Christian by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon

Partakers Bible Thought 18 November 2021 Christian Commitment 01 21 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” 23 Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” 24 ‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.' 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. (Matthew 7:21-29) Today we start looking at looking at the words of Jesus in Matthew 7 and that following Him involves making a radical choice which demands commitment to Him. Up until now, Jesus has been issuing instructions. It is here, therefore, that He issues the 2 choices we face when having heard His words. As He concludes this sermon with a heart-wrenching application. Jesus confronts us with himself. Jesus sets before us the choice between obeying his words and disobeying them. From there, Jesus then proceeds to call His followers to firm commitment of mind, will & life to himself and his teaching. In the podcast today we look at verses v21-23, where Jesus warns of a mere spoken profession of following Him. Tomorrow, in verses 24-27 we look at a mere intellectual knowledge of Jesus without any practical application of following Him. Each one of these, is a substitute for the obedience that Jesus asks for. Please do listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this aspect in the life of the Christian. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book about being a Christian by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon

  Today we are praying a prayer together concerning the COVID19/Corona Virus Pandemic. I am sure each of us knows somebody who has contracted this virus, and quite possibly succumbed to it and died because of it. I know I do! Come! Let's pray together!   O great God, as you know, we are in the midst of this wretched COVID-19 global pandemic. O Great Comforter, embrace those grieving the loss of loved ones and wipe their tears. We don't know the right way to combat this pandemic, but we know and trust that you do. Therefore, give wisdom and courage to all those involved in its treatment, prevention, cure and vaccine, including our government and leaders. May the vaccines be distributed diligently, justly, quickly and efficiently. We thank you O God that they were prepared by wise people. We thank you for all those caring for others during this time – carers, nurses, medics and others. May you O God, give them courage and wisdom. Amen Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our Partakers books! Please do click or tap here to visit our Amazon site! Click or tap on the appropriate link below to subscribe, share or download our iPhone App!

Partakers Bible Thought 16 November 2021 The Lord's Prayer 08 5 ‘And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:5-8) Today we conclude our looking at the Lord's Prayer by looking at what we should mean when we say “Amen” as well as some concluding remarks about the Lord's Prayer. Please do listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this aspect in the prayer life of the Christian. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our book on Prayer by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon