Living as the Bride of Christ

Glory to God!

The Lord is speaking to us about our identity as His people and yesterday He showed us the following:

New Creations in Christ

• Those who are born again are new creations in Christ. Jn 3:1-8; 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:10
• As a new creation, the believer leaves the old and enters the new. 2 Cor 5:17
• The "old" refers to the believer's old identity and the way of life that accompanied that identity. Eph 4:17-24
• The "new" refers to the believer's new identity and the way of life that accompanies that identity. 2 Cor 5:15
• The "old" identity is self-centred, independent, isolated, self-sufficient, separated from God and lives to please self. Eph 2:1-3, 12; 4:17-24
• The "new" identity is God-centred, dependent on God, joined to God and lives for God. Eph 4:24; 2 Cor 5:15
• The fundamental shift in the believer's mindset and way of life is that s/he must live both as a child of God and as the bride of Christ, the Church. 
• The believer's "vertical" relationship to God cannot be separated from his or her "horizontal" relationship with God's people. Heb 6:10; 1 Jn 4:20
• Christianity is not a private religion. Born again believers are baptised into the body of Christ and are called to live as the bride of Christ - the "one new man." Eph 2:15
• Just as husband and wife have to adjust their lives from how they lived when they were single to living as a couple, so the believer has to adjust his or her life as one who was separated from God but is now joined to Christ and the Church. Eph 5:31,32

5 Characteristics of the Bride

The 5 characteristics of living as a child of God and as the bride of Christ are the following:

1. The believer lives as one who belongs to Christ and belongs to the Church. Eph 1:13-14; 2 Pet 2:9-10; 1 Cor 12:27
2. The believer lives to reflect Christ as a an individual and as part of His body. 2 Cor 3:18; Jn 13:35
3. The believer lives to grow in intimacy with God and with His people. Php 3:10; Rom 12:10
4. The believer lives a life devoted to God and devoted to His people. Acts 2:42-47
5. The believer lives in expectation of Christ's return individually and collectively as His bride. Titus 2:11-14

The 5 characteristics of the bride of Christ spell B.R.I.D.E. and are demonstrated as the believer lives out his or her new identity as both a child of God and as the bride of Christ.

As we move into 2014, we believe God is going to continue to teach us what it means to be His bride so that we align ourselves to Christ, to His purposes and live as His body, ready for His return!

Christmas Musical

Last Sunday we had a full house with over 150 people attending our KLF Christmas Musical. It was a joy to see everyone involved in making it such a special event. The musical, entitled "Luigi und der Kerzengießer," written by Elizabeth Nehring, was performed by young and older with dance, solos, singing, acting, paintings and much creativity and talent. It was great to see everyone use their gifts for God's glory and to speak the heart of the Father into the lives of those who have not yet encountered the grace of God. We had an abundance of food, cake and coffee so that everyone could simply enjoy being with one another and interacting with and as the body of Christ!

Upcoming events

24-26.01: Resonating Heaven - prophetic worship conference with Francois Botes
08.02: Church Day - a day to be together and find out more about what God is doing at KLF



  


  

The people of God

 Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Glory to God!

These past few weeks, the Lord has been speaking to us about His purpose for our lives and how He wants us to live in the fullness of what Christ has done for us. He has been showing us that although Christ has accomplished all that the Father has purposed in Him, it is up to the believer to take possession of it. You can listen to the individual sermons here:

God has a plan for you - Elizabeth Nehring

Living from vision - Richard Morschel

Taking possession of the Kingdom - Frances Morschel

God's vision - Richard Morschel

On Sunday the house was full and the presence of God was powerful. It was a time of true fellowship with God and one another as we worshipped together, shared communion together and had pizza and cake after the meeting. What we experienced together was the manifestation of God's Word to us - the glory of the Church. This is what we looked at:

• Vision is fulfilled desire.
• God has a vision - a desire which will be fulfilled in the fullness of time. Eph 1:10
• God's vision is to create in Christ one new man, the Church, from every nation, tribe and tongue to reign on earth. Eph 2:15-22; Rev 5:9,10
• The Father purposed it. Eph 1:4; 3:10,11
• Jesus prayed for it. Jn 17:11,21-23
• Jesus paid for it. Eph 2:15-22
• All of creation will praise God for it. Rev 5:13

We praise God for His revelation to us of His vision for mankind which He purposed in Christ from eternity to eternity. Hallelujah!

We are excited about our Christmas musical on December 8th. The story, written by Elizabeth Nehring, will be sung, danced and performed by our church family. It will be a great time of fellowship and a special opportunity to see everyone use their gifts to bless people and glorify God. This is also a great event to bring along friends, colleagues and neighbours. Everyone is welcome.

Upcoming events

08.12. - KLF Christmas Musical @ 15:00 at Eastsite 15
24.01. - 26.01. - Worship seminar with Francois Botes 

"Once you were not a people, 

but now you are the people of God." 1 Pet 2:10

A people of vision

Image courtesy of  FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Glory to God!

Yesterday we had a powerful time of worship in song and proclamation of Christ's lordship over the nations. We spent time declaring Jesus' name and authority over each of our own respective nations and Germany. It was very powerful indeed. We then interviewed a couple of our people who regularly go on the streets of Frankfurt to share the love of God and the Gospel. It was great to see their passion and to hear some of their testimonies that encouraged more of our people to be part of our evangelism team.

Looking at James 1:13-15, we noted the following principles concerning vision and the process involved to fulfill vision. We saw that vision is fulfilled desire and that the same principles apply to the process of fulfilling desire whether they are evil desires, good desires or godly desires. The vision cycle shows the process that James reveals:

 

Vision - the cycle begins with seeing what the fulfillment of the desire looks like. 

Motivation - seeing what the fulfilled desire would look like motivates one to move toward it. Temptation is motivation in the wrong direction. It drags us away and entices us (Jas 1:14). Motivation stirs desire. We are motivated and begin to think, "That sounds good!"

Conception - if temptation/motivation is accepted, it will conceive desire. We say, "I want that!"

Choice - once desire is conceived we make a choice in our hearts to pursue the fulfilled desire (vision). We say, "I will go for it!"

Action - once our choice has been made, we will act on our desire until it is fulfilled. The desire gives birth to action which eventually leads to the fulfillment of the desire (Jas 1:15).

We also noted that we don't usually have just one vision for our lives but multiple visions for different areas of our lives (personal, professional, family, ministry, etc). The apostle Paul, for example, had a vision for his ministry (Col 1:28,29) and for his personal life (Php 3:10-14). We were encouraged to review what our desires are (whether they are bad, good or godly) and what it would look like if our God-given desires were fulfilled. These are the desires that God wants to give us and that He encourages us to pursue (Ps 37:4). Having vision of God-given desires fulfilled gives life and purpose. Sadly when people don't have vision, their lives fall apart (Pr 29:18).

Upcoming events

08.12. - KLF Christmas Musical @ 15:00 at Eastsite 15
24.01. - 26.01. - Worship seminar with Francois Botes 
  

Experiencing God's Love

Glory to God!

The Lord is speaking to us about His extravagant love and yesterday He showed us that to live in Him is to live in love. 

"God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in him." 1 John 4:16

Looking at Luke 7:36-50 the Lord showed us the difference between a self-righteous attitude and God's extravagant love. He showed us that the self-righteous, who think they don't need much forgiveness, love little but those who receive much forgiveness will love much. The self-righteous Pharisee took one look at Jesus and the sinful woman, judged them and rejected them. Jesus, who lived in the Father's extravagant love, really saw the sinful woman, was compassionate toward her and lifted her up. The woman loved much because she was forgiven much - she had entered the realm beyond where she found God's mercy and grace in abundance. God's kindness led her to true repentance and love.   

True love sees the person and not just the sin.

True love feels with the person and is compassionate.

True loves builds the other person up and lifts him/her up.

It is God's will that the Church reveal His extravagant love - a love that reveals His nature and His extravagant mercy and grace. As those who live in God and therefore live in love, we are responsible to be the revelation of Divine love. It is this love that reveals that we are Jesus' disciples!

Upcoming events

08.12. - KLF Christmas Musical @ 15:00 at Eastsite 15
24.01. - 26.01. - Worship seminar with Francois Botes 

Rebirth Dance Network

Glory to God!

On Sunday we had the privilege of having Daniel with us - an anointed dancer from Rebirth Dance Network (www.rebirthdance.com). After sharing his testimony with us, Daniel demonstrated part of his story with a very moving and powerful dance. As a church, our desire is to express our love for God with the gifts He has given us in a great variety of ways and creative forms. We are starting a creative arts ministry to encourage people to develop their gifts for God's glory. These include dance, photography, poetry, song-writing, painting and much more. As God's masterpieces created in Christ to do good works we want to see God glorified with the manifold gifts in the Church. We are excited to have been introduced to Daniel and his ministry in London and we are looking forward to seeing our relationship develop to particularly touch our young people.

The Lord is speaking to us about His extravagant love and on Sunday He spoke to us about His kindness. Looking at the account of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9, the Lord showed us His heart toward us despite the things that have "crippled" us in life. The Lord is giving us greater revelation of His love that is beyond and above anything we can possibly ask for or imagine. Hallelujah!

Starting next week we will be running another 8-week KLF discipleship course. We have already run 3 courses and are aiming at taking the whole church through this foundational course on "Living from the Spirit." We are receiving wonderful testimonies of changed lives from those who have gone through the course! Praise God!

Upcoming events

08.12. - KLF Christmas Musical @ 15:00 at Eastsite 15
24.01. - 26.01. - Worship seminar with Francois Botes 

Quote of the week:

"Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" 2 Samuel 9:3

Revealing the Kingdom

Glory to God!

God is speaking to Kingdom Life about His Kingdom and how He wants us to respond to the reality of His presence and Kingdom in our lives. We have seen how true worship is the response to the revelation of God and the grace of God, as believers live from the spiritual reality of who God is and who they are in Christ. As we depend on the Holy Spirit to reveal the Kingdom of God to us, we are called to align ourselves to God and His Kingdom on earth. You can listen to recent messages here:

The substance of servanthood - Aris Maniatis
Only with the Holy Spirit - Alexander Blair
Spiritual discernment - Frances Morschel
That's not my dog - Richard Morschel

One with Christ - one with one another.

On Sunday we had a powerful time in God's presence as we shared communion together. The Lord impressed upon us how the cross not only represents Christ's death for the purpose of reconciling man to God (vertical) but also to reconcile man to one another (horizontal). Christ's body was broken and His blood was shed so that man could be rightly related to the Father and to one another. For this reason Paul not only emphasises the believer's union with Christ but also the believer's union with the Body of Christ. Paul writes,

"Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation on the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf." 1 Cor 10:16,17 (NIV)

God's extravagant love

The Lord then spoke to us about how He and His Kingdom are extravagant - beyond limitation. Understanding the nature of God and His Kingdom is vital if we are to reveal His nature and Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. The Lord showed us that His love is extravagant and that everything He does and everything pertaining to His Kingdom is governed by His extravagant love. Therefore, as "sons of the Kingdom" we are to be governed by God's extravagant love if we are to release the yeast of the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus revealed the extravagant love of the Father with His life (His compassion, mercy and grace) and His death (unconditional, sacrificial love). Believers are called to love others as they are loved as evidence of their being followers of Christ (Jn 13:34,35; 1 Jn 4:7-21). The extravagant love of God will not be revealed if believers only love conditionally. It is only as believers receive God's extravagant love, rely on His love for them and release His unconditional love, that God's extravagant Kingdom is revealed (Mt 5:44-48).

Upcoming events

08.12. - KLF Christmas Musical @ 15:00 at Eastsite 15
24.01. - 26.01. - Worship seminar with Francois Botes 

Quote of the week:

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Eph 3:16-19 (NIV, emphasis mine)

Living as God's people

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Glory to God!

The Lord is continuing to build a tabernacle of worship with KLF. Yesterday we experienced the upon-ness of the glory of God as we worshipped Him. Subsequently the Lord ministered to His people through prophetic Words that encouraged people and confirmed what He is saying to us as a church.

The Lord is speaking to us about worship and yesterday He showed us the following:

• Worship is the response to the revelation of God.
• Worship is also the response to the grace of God. 
• The grace of God extends to the believer's past (has been saved - Eph 2:6), present (is being saved - Acts 2:47; 2 Cor 2:15; 1 Pet 1:9) and future (will be saved - Matt 24:13; Rom 5:10).
• The believer must depend on the grace of God for salvation (past, present and future).
• Worship is responding to God's grace with thankfulness - an attitude of gratitude.
• The best way to honour the Giver is not only to thank Him but also to use the gifts He has given!
• In Christ, the believer has received every spiritual gift in the heavenly realms. Eph 1:3
• There is much to be thankful for and there are many gifts to use.
• The believer must not dishonour God by receiving God's grace in vain. 2 Cor 6:1; 1 Cor 15:9,10
• We worship God when we use the gifts He has given us.
• One of the greatest gifts we have in Christ is our new identity in Him.
• The believer worships God as He thanks God for his new identity in Christ but especially when He lives from that new identity!
• The believer's new identity in Christ should be one of the primary motivations to live a holy life.
• The writers of the NT constantly remind the Church about her identity in Christ as the reason for holy living. 2 Cor 6:14-7:1; Eph 4:22-24; 5:8-10; Col 3:1:1-4, 12; 1 Pet 2:9-11; 1 John 3:1.

We then split up into small groups to look at 1 Peter 2:9-11 and to explore the implications of having received the gift of our new identity in Christ (a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, and aliens and strangers). The challenge was to identify what our lives should look like if we truly believe we have received a new identity in Christ. For more on this subject click here.

We praise God for showing us what it really means to worship Him with our lives and we praise Him for the abundant grace He has poured into our lives!

Upcoming events

08.12. - KLF Christmas Musical @ 15:00 at Eastsite 15
24.01. - 26.01. - Worship seminar with Francois Botes

Quote of the week

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." 1 Peter 2:9-11

 

Building Foundations

Glory to God!

The Lord is building foundations and establishing KLF. God spoke to us at the beginning of the year about faith working through love as we grow in our love for God's presence (reaching up), God's people (reaching in) and God's salvation purposes (reaching out). Consequently we are seeing how God is stirring us particularly in the area of worship and discipleship, the fruit of which will influence those around us wherever we are. We are seeing the prophetic word given to us through Richard Maybery unfold: the Lord will establish the tabernacle of David in KLF as He brings and raises psalmists, worshipers and musicians in Kingdom Life. We are already singing many of our own songs and seeing how God is taking us deeper and deeper into His presence as we worship Him. It is wonderful! We are also seeing how God is using our KLF discipleship course to establish our people in the Truth and how He is building strong foundations in people's lives as they learn to live by the Spirit and the Truth. These are exciting times!

In the past three weeks the Lord has been speaking to us about bringing us into a spacious place, a place where we are delivered from the enemy and from our self-centredness as we humble ourselves before God and one another. It is a place where we are unhindered to experience the presence and the possibilities of God. You can listen to the messages here:

The pathway to greatness - Frances Morschel
Stepping into the growth zone - Alexander Blair
Steps to humility - Frances Morschel
Attitude of gratitude - Richard Morschel

On Sunday the Lord spoke to us about worship and He showed us that there are two very important aspects to worship.The first is that worship is our response to the revelation of God. The second is that worship is also our response to the grace of God. The Lord showed us that the worshipers He seeks are those who have a heart of gratitude who overflow with thankfulness for who He is and for what He has done and does for us. As believers respond to God and to His mercy and grace, they worship and honour God with their lives (Romans 12:1,2). The Lord showed us how thankfulness delivers us from anxiety, discontentment, over-familiarity and the enemy (Philippians 4:4-13; 2 Chronicles 20:21,22) and how thankfulness honours God and is a worshipful response to the goodness of God (Hebrews 12:28,29). As believers and true worshipers, we are called to be thankful and to declare the excellencies of God (1 Peter 2:9,10).

Upcoming events

08.12 : Christmas Musical at 15:00 at Eastsite 15

24.01 - 26.01: Francois Botes Worship Seminar

"So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6,7

   

Imitating Christ

Glory to God!

Yesterday the Lord ministered to us as He set our feet in a spacious place and set people free from affliction, anguish of soul and the oppression of the enemy (see Psalm 31:7,8). Hallelujah!

The Lord then spoke to us about the pathway to greatness and showed us how the kingdom of this world is completely opposite to the Kingdom of God. He showed us how in the world, greatness is rooted in pride and is about comparing oneself to others and being better than others. In the Kingdom, greatness is rooted in humility and is about comparing oneself to God and considering others better than oneself. The pathway to greatness in the world is up (self-promotion, selfish ambition, competetive spirit, dependence on self). The pathway to greatness in the Kingdom is down (self-denial, dying to self, dependence on God). Whoever wants to be great must become a servant/slave (Mt 20:24-28). Whoever humbles himself like a little child is the greatest in the Kingdom (Mt 18:1-4). We must imitate Christ and have His attitude - the humble King (Php 2:1-9).

• Humility is becoming nothing so that God can be everything.
• Humility empties us of self so that we can be filled with God.
• Humility is having no confidence in the flesh, but every confidence in God.
• Humility is complete dependence upon God.

We praise God for His revelation to us and for continuing to teach us how to live the Kingdom life wherever we are.

We are called to imitate Christ as His disciples and this week we are starting our next 8-week discipleship course on Tuesday evenings and at one of our Life Groups on Thursday evenings. We completed our first course before the summer and are greatly encouraged by what God did during the 8 weeks. Our aim is to have the whole church go through the course and to continue to have the discipleship course available for newcomers. On Saturday 7 September from 10:00 - 15:00 will be the next introduction day for the discipleship course.

Upcoming events

31.08. - International Jesus March: Click here for more information

07.09. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

 

A Redemptive Community

Glory to God!

The Lord is speaking to us about His goodness and His glory and yesterday He showed us the following:

• God is good. Man was made made in God's image to reveal His nature and goodness. Gen 1:27,31
• Because man aligned himself with evil, he ceased to be good.
• Even if man is perfectly obedient to the Law, man can still not attain his original goodness. Rom 3:20
• Christ came to reveal the goodness of God and to restore man to his original goodness. 2 Cor 5:21
• Those who are in Christ are a new creation, created good. 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:10
• God's divine power gives the believer everything he needs to be good and to reveal God's goodness. 2 Pet 1:3,4
• The goodness of God is revealed when He is compassionate, gracious, abounding in love, slow to anger, faithful, forgiving and just. Ex 34:6
• The glory of God is the revelation of His goodness. Ex 33:18,19
• God calls every believer to reveal His goodness and to overcome evil with good. 1 Pet 3:8-18
• The believer must set apart Christ as Lord in his heart and choose to reveal God's goodness. 1 Pet 3:15
• Those who reveal God's goodness bring people in touch with God. 1 Pet 3:18

The Church must live redemptively, participating in the divine nature and revealing the goodness of God so that people are brought in contact with God through her. 

We praise God for His revelation to us and for teaching us to be a community that reveals His goodness and glory. Hallelujah!

Upcoming events

31.08. - International Jesus March: Click here for more information
07.09. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." 2 Peter 1:3,4

 

Making room for God

Glory to God!

It is always exciting when God's people respond radically to His call and yesterday we sent out Johannes Mühleisen as he embarks on a 2 year mission work with YWAM in San Pedro in the Dominican Republic. God is touching our people with a greater passion for Him and many are being stirred to serve the Lord sacrificially.

Yesterday the Lord spoke to us about how we attract His manifest presence. This is what He showed us:

• The apostle Paul writes, "It is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus and who put no confidence in the flesh." Phil 3:3
• Religion is man's attempt to reach God in his own effort and depends on ritual (outward circumcision), form (worship according to tradition and outward appearance) and self-righteousness (dependence on self to be right with God).
• The way of the Spirit is not outward or dependent on man but is dependent on the Spirit and the righteousness of Christ.
• True circumcision is of the heart by the Spirit of God. Rom. 2:28,29; Acts 2:37
• True worship is by the Spirit of God. Jn 4:24
• True righteousness is dependent on Christ's righteousness. 1 Cor 1:30
• It is as the Church depends on the Holy Spirit and places her confidence in Christ to be right with the Father, that the Lord manifests His presence.
• The Church must learn to make room for God to do His work and not get in the way by depending on ritual, form or self-righteousness to move God.
• God is moved and manifests His presence when His people wait on Him and rely on Him rather than on themselves. 
• The Church must learn to depend completely on God so that she can boast in Him alone.
• "Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'" 1 Cor 1:31

After God's Word to us we worshipped the Lord in Spirit and truth and the Lord began to manifest His presence. As He did so, the power of God was present to heal (Luk 5:17; 1 Cor 5:4) and the Holy Spirit began to minister to many people as we prayed for one another. Hallelujah!

We are excited about what God is showing us and for teaching us how to be a people of His Spirit, attracting His manifest presence for His glory and the benefit of His people and the lost. 

Upcoming events

17.08. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00
31.08. - International Jesus March: Click here for more information
07.09. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00

 "It is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus and who put no confidence in the flesh." Phil 3:3 

God's Masterpieces

Glory to God!

"The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord's perfections and meditating in his Temple." Psalm 27:4

This was our heart's cry yesterday as we worshipped the Lord and delighted in the His perfections - His goodness, holiness, beauty and splendour! As we worshipped the Lord it was as though He wrapped Himself around us and touched each of our hearts deeply with His love. It was amazing!

Richard and Frances returned this week from their 2 week visit to the Philippines and yesterday Richard shared some pictures and testimonies of what God did during their time there. We are excited about how God is using KLF to build His Kingdom in Butuan and Mindanao. The Lord is opening doors and giving us great favour to start a ministry in Butuan. We are in the process of planting Kingdom Life Butuan and are really excited about what God is putting together for His glory. Check out our Mabini Blog here.

The Lord then spoke to us about how the believer is created in Christ to do good works and to reveal the goodness of God. This is what He showed us:

• When God created man, He created him good.Genesis 1:31
• The result of the Fall is that man is no longer good. Mark 10:18; Romans 3:10-12,23; 5:14
• Jesus came as the revelation of God's goodness to restore man to his original state of goodness. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
• Those who are born of God are a new creation in Christ - God's masterpiece (poema), created to do good works. Ephesians 2:10
• God's purpose in restoring goodness in man through Christ is for man to reveal God's goodness. Matthew 5:14-16
• The glory of God is the manifestation of His goodness. Exodus 33:18-34:7
• The goodness of God is beyond the boundary (huperballo) and is characterised by generosity. Ephesians 3:20,21
• God's generosity is beyond expectation and beyond limitation and He calls His people to reveal His generosity to reveal His goodness. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
• The obstacles to generosity are: fear (I won't have enough), self-centredness (I will give as long as I am noticed), wrong motivation (I will give to get for myself), being unmerciful (I will only give to those whom I think deserve it) and doubt (what can I possibly give?).
• The word generous means "of noble birth" and as children of the King, we are called to reveal His nature, His generosity, His goodness, His glory so that others are blessed and the Lord is praised! 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

The glory of God is the manifestation of His goodness

Upcoming events

17.08. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00
31.08. - International Jesus March: Click here for more information
07.09. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Touching lives. Changing nations!

Glory to God!

In the past few weeks, the Lord has been speaking to us about being a people of faith who arise and shine because the glory of the Lord is upon us (Isaiah 60:1-3). As a people filled with God, the Lord is calling the Church to not only be like Him in the world (1 John 2:6) but to be the solution to the world's problems as she reveals the wisdom of God. The Church is called to proclaim the gospel, to live the gospel and to be the manifestation of the Lord's wisdom to the spiritual realm as she takes up her God-given authority in Christ over the kingdom of darkness (Ephesians 3:10,11). You can listen to what God is saying to us here:

Are you living by faith or by self? Alexander Blair

Are you good enough? Richard Morschel

How is our living faith today? Alexander Blair

The glory of the saints. Elizabeth Nehring

We praise God for His revelation to us and for the lives that are being changed as people are encoutering the presence and the truth of God and His Kingdom. On the 7th July, 6 people were baptised as we celebrated their new lives in Christ. The Lord is adding to our number those who are being saved. Hallelujah!

From the 09.07-22.07, Richard and Frances were on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines to strengthen exisiting relationships, equip pastors and leaders through a 4-day conference, visit various churches in the area, plant Kingdom Life Butuan, and further God's Kingdom. We are excited about what God is doing in the Philippines and particularly in Butuan and the surrounding area. God is using KLF to touch and influence nations! You can read more about their exciting trip here.  

Upcoming events

17.08. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00
31.08. - International Jesus March: Click here for more information
07.09. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00

 

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, a thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." Isaiah 60:1-3

The Gate of Hope

Glory to God!

Yesterday there was great joy in the house as we worshipped the Lord and as He revealed His heart to us through prophetic words of encouragment. The Lord then spoke to us about the Gate of Hope that takes us into the realm beyond. The reality of God's unchanging nature and the certainty of His promises give the believer hope that enters in beyond the curtain where Christ has gone before us (see Hebrews 6:17-19). Hope enters the realm of the immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

We then looked at different examples of people who carried a spirit of hope despite hopeless circumstances. Looking at the lives of Abraham (Romans 4:18-21), Nehemiah, and Christoph Columbus (in the film, 1492), we noted how these men had hope against all hope by staying focused, remaining encouraged and trusting God. The Lord then showed us that whereas His Kingdom is a Kingdom of hope, the kingdom of darkness is a kingdom of fear. Hope expects a positive outcome. Fear expects a negative outcome. The enemy seeks to cause us to lose hope so that we are bound by fear. He does that by distracting the believer (Neh 2:18-20); discouraging the believer (Neh 4:1-3); sowing doubt in the believer (Neh 4:10) and causingdespair that is rooted in fear (Neh 4:11,12)!

God wants us to be a people of hope who overflow with hope so that the world will recognise the hope we have (see 1 Pet 3:15). As a people filled with the Hope of Glory we can always hope even in hopeless situations. 

Upcoming Events

07.07. - Baptismal service at 15:00 at Haeberlinstr.3, F-Eschersheim
17.08. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00
07.09. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Stepping in!

Glory to God!

The Lord is speaking to us about the reality of His Kingdom and how He wants His people to live in response to His presence and His Kingdom. A couple of weeks ago the Lord spoke to us about leaving our comfort zone in order to experience the things that are beyond. The Father has also been revealing how a river flows from His throne into the world to bring healing to the nations (see Ezek 47; Rev 22). This river represents the presence and the realm of God that is penetrating the darkness of this world. God invites us to step into the river of God and to learn to trust Him to such a degree that we will allow Him to carry us along with the river. The river of God is a river of life (Rev 22:1-2a), joy (Ps 46:4), provision, healing and transformation (Ezek 47:8-9,12).

"God is the source of the river. The river of God represents the Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God - the very life and presence of God Himself - that brings life, joy, transformation, provision and healing."

The Lord then showed us that in order to step into the river, the believer cannot be passive, waiting for God to do it all but s/he must enter in by faith, doing things God's way. He gave us the example of Naaman and how contrary to Naaman's expectations, God humbled Naaman to do things His way in order for Naaman to receive healing (see 2 Ki 5:9-14). The way of the Kingdom is opposite to the way of this world. God's way is for us to forgive and we will be forgiven, to give and we will receive, to serve and we will be exalted, etc. As we follow God's ways we surrender control and begin to lift our feet off the river bed and allow God to carry us. The deeper we enter the river, the more influence the Kingdom will have on us and on those around us.

Upcoming Events

07.07. - Baptismal service at 15:00 at Haeberlinstr.3, F-Eschersheim
17.08. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00
07.09. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00

"'Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.' By this he meant the Spirit." Jn 38-39a

 

Exposing the Darkness

Glory to God!

Yesterday there was a shout of victory in the camp as we worshipped the Lord and proclaimed His victory in the spirit realm, over our lives, our city, our country and the nations! God revealed His sovereignty over all that is created both in the natural and in the spiritual realm as we joined together with one voice and declared Jesus' victory. Hallelujah!

Looking at Matthew 3:16-4:11, the Lord gave us a glimpse of two kingdoms - the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. Having spoken to us in the past few weeks about the reality of His Kingdom and how He wants us to live in response to Him and His Kingdom, the Lord spoke to us yesterday about the reality of the kingdom of darkness. This is what He showed us:

• God wants us to live from the reality of His Kingdom.Matthew 6:33
• We do that by obeying God (Matthew 4:4), depending on God (Matthew 4:4) and worshipping and serving Him only (Matthew 4:10).
• The kingdom of darkness is real and the enemy is active. Ephesians 6:12
• Satan's objective is to ensure that man disobeys God, lives independently of God and worships and serves anything other than God.
• Satan tempted Jesus in these three areas: to disobey God (Matthew 4:3), to do His own will (Matthew 4:5,6) and to worship and serve Satan (Matthew 4:8,9).
• Satan tempts God's children to disobey God by first of all sowing disbelief in God (Genesis 3:1; Matthew 4:3); then distrust in God (Genesis 3:4,5); resulting in disobedience (Genesis 3:6).
• Satan tempts God's children to live independently of God. Independence leads to a rebellious heart: a heart that not only disobeys God but has an insubordinate attitude toward God and people that influences and misleads others. Genesis 3:6
• Satan wants God's children to worship and serve the created rather than the Creator. Matthew 4:9

For further information on the truth about the kingdom of darkness, click here.

Upcoming Events

07.07. - Baptismal service at 15:00 at Haeberlinstr.3, F-Eschersheim
17.08. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00
07.09. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Course from 10:00 - 15:00

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them." C.S.Lewis

Deeper into the River

Glory to God!

God is taking us deeper into the river that flows from His throne (Ps 36:8,9; Ezek. 47:1-12; Rev. 22:1-5). As we grow in intimacy with the Lord and learn to depend on Him completely, He takes us deeper into His river until we surrender all control and allow Him to take us into places that are beyond - "a river that no one could cross" (Ezek. 47:5). It is in this realm beyond that we experience the invisible, exceedingly glorious and infinitely possible reality of God's Kingdom.

As we worshipped the Lord yesterday, the Holy Spirit began to minister to us, touching hearts, healing bodies and filling us afresh with His presence and love. It was awesome!

The Lord then spoke to us about the good news of the Kingdom and how Jesus came to make the reality of God's Kingdom known to man by preaching about the Kingdom throughout His ministry (Mark 1:15; Acts 1:3) as well as demonstrating the Kingdom by healing the sick, driving out demons and revealing the will of the Father on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9,10). Looking at the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord then showed us what it means to live in response to the Kingdom and to be in this world but not of this world.

Those who live in response to God and His Kingdom are affected inwardly (the believer's inner attitude - Matthew 5:3-6), outwardly (the believer's attitude toward others - Matthew 5:7-9) and by how the world responds to them (the world's attitude toward them - Matthew 5:10,11).

The Lord then showed us the wonderful truth that when we live in response to our King and His Kingdom, the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon us (1 Peter 4:14). The blessing of God is the uponness of God on the believer (see Numbers 6:22-27; Proverbs 16:15). Hallelujah!

Important dates and events

30.05. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Training
07.07. - Baptismal Service at 15:00 at Haeberlinstr.3, F-Eschersheim

"'The time has come,' he said.'The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'" Mark 1:15

The Unseen Real

Glory to God!

After we spent time in fellowship with the Lord yesterday, worshipping Him and participating in the Lord's Table through communion, the Lord spoke to us about expecting, experiencing and showing evidence in our lives of the Realm Beyond. The Realm Beyong is the unseen real and is the realm of God that is beyond the boundary of the created. The writers of the New Testament speak of that which is beyond the boundary (Greek: Huperballo) to describe the things of the Spirit or the Kingdom of God. This is what the Lord showed us:

Expectation

God wants us to expect the realm beyond that every believer can see and enter into. The realm beyond is invisible (John 3:4-8); glorious (2 Cor. 3:7-11) and possible (Eph. 3:20,21).

Experience

God wants us to experience the realm beyond. Those who experience the realm beyond are filled with love that is beyond knowledge (Eph. 3:16-19); peace that is beyond understanding (Phil. 4:5-7); and joy that is beyond expression (1 Peter 1:8,9).

Evidence

Those who live from the realm beyond demonstrate faith in the unseen real (Heb. 11:1); unconditional love (Acts 2:42-47); and overflowing hope (Rom.15:13; Heb. 11:24-27).

In response to God's word to us we repented of limiting God and asked Him to fill us afresh with His Spirit. Glory to God!

Important dates and events

25.05. - Global Outreach Day. Click here for more info.
30.05. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Training
07.07. - Baptismal Service at 15:00 at Haeberlinstr.3, F-Eschersheim

"Jesus said, 'My kingdom is not of this world...my kingdom is from another place.'" John 18:36

A Call to Intimacy

Glory to God!

God is calling His Bride to intimacy with Him so that she will be ready for when He returns! This is what the Lord has been saying to us in various ways in recent weeks through Richard Maybery, Richard Morschel, Suzette Hattingh, Alexander Blair and Francois Botes. You can listen to the messages by clicking on the titles:

Richard Maybery: Building Friendship with God
Richard Morschel: God's Hidden Ones
Suzette Hattingh: Prophetic Dream
Alexander Blair: The Lord of Hosts 

Yesterday the Lord ministered to us through the Song of Songs as Francois Botes led us into the very heart of God. Francois led us to sing God's Word together and to sing prophetically over one another as the Lord spoke through Francois. It was very powerful and we witnessed how the Father gently softened and healed the hearts of His people and immersed His Bride in His love. We praise God for His faithfulness and His passion for His people.

On the 4th of May, Richard and Frances Morschel led a Pastoral Training Day with the purpose of introducing an 8 week Discipleship Training Course that we are looking to take the whole church through. We studied what a disciple is, what a disciple does and the process of discipleship. We also looked at the nature of man and how discipleship relates to Christian counselling. After a morning of teaching we spent the afternoon rededicating our lives to the Lord and being filled with the Holy Spirit. We praise God for the reviving work He is doing in KLF! Further introductory sessions will take place on the 20th and the 30th of May.

Important dates and events

20.05. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Training
25.05. - Global Outreach Day. Click here for more info.
30.05. - Introduction to KLF Discipleship Training
07.07. - Baptismal Service at 15:00 at Haeberlinstr.3, F-Eschersheim

Quote of the Week:

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - for your love is more delightful than wine." Song of Songs 1:2

Our Dwelling Place

Glory to God!

Yesterday the Lord spoke to us about living as His hidden ones and making Him our Dwelling Place. This is what He showed us:

• The believer's life is hidden with Christ in God. Col. 3:3
• Just as the branch is joined to the vine, so the believer is joined to God in Christ. John 15:5; 1 John 4:15
• Jesus commands the believer, however, to remain in Him. In other words, to make God his Dwelling Place. John 15:4; Psalm 90:1; 91:1
• King David's greatest desire was to live in the presence of the Lord all the days of his life. Psalm 27:4-5
• God is calling His people to make Him their dwelling place and wants the Church to not just visit His presence but dwell in Him.Those who dwell in God are the habitation of God. John 15:4
• The hidden ones of God make God their Home.
• A home is a place where one finds rest, gets cleaned, is protected, is fed, is clothed, is challenged, has responsibilities, and can be oneself. 
• Those who dwell in the Lord receive revelation of the depth of the love of God; find refuge in God; feast on the abundance of His house; drink from God's river of delights (eden); know God as their source for life and see the Unseen Real in His Light. Psalm 63:7-9

God's hidden ones dwell in Him.

We praise God for His revelation to us and for His amazing invitation for us to make Him our home! Hallelujah!

Upcoming events:

4 May: Pastoral Training Day for the whole church @ KLF (Salzschlirferstr.15) from 10:00 - 16:00.

"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you." John 15:4 (MSG)

Producing Lasting Fruit

Glory to God

At our last two Sunday meetings, the Lord spoke to us through Alexander Blair and Suzette Hattingh about intimacy with God and preparing for Christ's return. The Father is drawing His people closer to Him and calling the Church to be emptied of herself and filled with Him in preparation for her Bridegroom.

Yesterday the Lord spoke to us about the believer's need to abide and receive. Looking at John 15:1-17, the Father showed us our need as branches joined to the Vine, to abide in Him and to receive from Him in order to bear lasting fruit. He revealed to us that when His Word challenges us we respond in four ways:

1. We ignore the truth and reason that it doesn't mean what it says. This response leads to deception.
2. We give up any responsibility to fulfill God's Word, reasoning that it is impossible for man to fulfill it so God must do it all. This response leads to passivity.
3. We try our best to fulfill God's Word in our own strength and try to earn God's approval. This response leads to legalism.
4. We accept God's Word as the truth and seek His enabling grace to fulfill His Word in our lives. This response leads to fruitfulness.

The Lord showed us that when His Word offends the believer it is because the believer is still trying to fulfill God's will in his own strength and doesn't trust God to enable him to fulfill His Word (John 6:60-69). It is therefore in remaining in Christ and learning to receive from Him that the believer is enabled to produce lasting fruit. The believer cannot do it alone and God will not do it for him. However, when the believer learns to depend on God and find the grace needed, he will produce lasting fruit (Heb. 4:16). Faith alone does not lead to living a holy life but it positions the believer to receive the grace to produce the fruit of righteousness and holiness. God wants His people to seek His face and allow Him to transform them from glory to glory (see Psalm 27:4,8; 34:5; 63:2,3; 2 Cor. 3:18, 4:16-18; Numbers 6:24-27).

Upcoming events:

4 May: Pastoral Training Day from 10:00 - 16:00 @ Salzschlirferstr.15.

25 May: Global Outreach Day. Click here for more info...

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4