A Peculiar People - Understood By God, Misunderstood By Man.

Do you ever watch the news, the headlines, hear the statements of the Politicians and leaders? The celebrities vying for their snapshot of relevance, their moment to shine and proclaim their ‘wisdom’?

Do you find yourself despairing at a world going bat-guano crazy before our very eyes?

Take heart, there is hope! Rejoice in the fact that you may just be ‘Peculiar’!

Peculiar; it’s a funny, peculiar word.

A dictionary explanation I discovered:

‘Different to what is normal or expected, odd, curious, eccentric’.

A Biblical explanation is vastly different!

Here we find: ‘A sense of particular treasure.’

Happy to go with the latter!

Let’s look at what God is saying to us in His Word.

Exodus 19:5, AMP. Now therefore, if you will obey My voice in truth and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own peculiar possession and treasure from among and above all peoples; for all the earth is Mine.

Deuteronomy 14:2 AMP. For you are a holy people (set apart) to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself, above all the nations of the earth.

Deuteronomy 26: 17-19 AMP. “You have openly declared the Lord this day to be your God, (pledging) to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His precepts, and to hearken to His voice. And the Lord has declared this day that you are His peculiar people, as He promised you, and you are to keep all His commandments; And He will make you high above all nations and in fame and in honour, and you shall be a holy people to the Lord your God, as He has spoken.”

Oh sure, I hear you say. That’s the OT and the law.

1 Peter 2:9-10 AMP. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, (God’s) own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. Once you were not a people (at all), but now you are God’s people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy.”

A target for ridicule, righteousness is peculiar in this world.

When we endeavour to uphold the principles and precepts of the Kingdom of God, we attract criticism; we can be accused of being unloving, but it’s because we are acutely aware of God’s love for our fellow man that makes us want them to see! We stand as advocates for life, from conception https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2023/07/06/dr-anthony-levatino-abortionist-to-pro-life-doctor/ to natural end of life https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2023/08/11/oh-canada-10-tragic-facts-about-canadas-euthanasia-regime/. As Christians we must be Pro-Life; God is.

We stand against the LGBTQI+ ideologies that attempt to sexualise our children, deforming their bodies and their minds, because God made man in His image, male and female he made them. https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2023/09/06/seven-network-transgender-regret-detransitioning-documentary/. We stand for freedom, because Jesus Christ has set us free. (Yes, even mankind is free to choose Him or not).

We stand for righteous government, because God’s plans and purposes for mankind are good, not evil (that’s Satan) We sign petitions, submissions, walk at Pro-life events and peacefully protest and pray at freedom rallies, standing against the sinister agendas of Globalists and Marxists.

https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2022/10/28/god-government-statism-and-resistance/

We stand as stewards of the earth, but do not allow ourselves to be bewitched by the new climate change cults. https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2023/03/24/greta-thunberg-theology-doctorate-helsinki-university/

We believe in the truth of the Word of God, the Bible, and the truth that “I Am the Lord, I change not” holds true. https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2022/07/12/woke-churches-erasing-women/ The Woke church is a mirror of the church of Laodicea, Lukewarm and losing its spiritual and moral compass. https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2022/12/14/the-new-book-of-woke-spells/

Feeling misunderstood?

Therefore, to the world and even to other Christians, we are a peculiar people; we are not loved for our stance by them, yet we pray for their eyes to be opened. Time is short.

We are, however loved by God, Who first loved us, and gave His life for us.

We pray for life, our children and friends, those we don’t know to find Salvation in Jesus; we pray that the true Church of Jesus Christ will arise and stand in righteousness, not a mouthpiece for the anti-Christ agendas sweeping the human race to a decadent misery. We pray for righteous Government in our countries and across the world. https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2023/09/05/an-indian-genocide-the-present-day-extermination-of-indias-christians/. Pray for the persecuted church, as Christians are the most persecuted religion in the world.

And one more thing; Rejoice in our peculiarity! It’s a badge of being God’s particular treasure.

Titus 2: 13-14 AMP. “Our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works.”

Remember – We have been purchased through the blood of Christ and belong to Him!

This excellent piece was written by Leonie Robson who is a song contestant and part of the Firstfruits Music Awards family.

To listen to some of Leonie and her husband Ivan’s song click here:

https://www.youtube.com/@thelatterrain.../featured

Do I Need To Bring a Torch?

It’s a beautiful sunny Sunday morning; the birds are singing, and music emanates from a building in an industrial estate. It’s the home of a local Church. A Pentecostal Church. It could be any denomination really.

I walk in through the foyer, still brilliantly lit by sunshine and enter the doors to the auditorium…it is black, no lights other than those emanating from the two large screens where YouTube music videos are being played.

A lady turns around and welcomes us. She smiles and gives me a hug. I happily accept it.

However, I can barely see a thing in front of me. My eyes have not adjusted to the change in lighting, and I almost stumble to a seat in my proximity. I’m not feeling comfortable at all. I ask my husband, “Why are we in the dark?” he shrugs and says, “Beats me!”

When the music finishes the houselights come on and that is almost as startling. If one watches YouTube live video worship, we see many churches worshiping in very darkened churches, auditoriums and stadiums.

There is the element of show business about it; and sometimes they are indeed concerts that attract thousands of people. I guess that is an experience many of us have become used to. And it has its place. Many will say, “Well, we want young people to come to church!”

I was 24 when I came to accept Jesus Christ as my Saviour, and I was blown away by my first Pentecostal church experience. It was something I didn’t expect, and it wasn’t dark! It was the opposite of the club and pub scene that I experienced before my husband and I married. But that is what captured us! The newness of this joyful Christianity! This is what set the atmosphere to receive the Word of God that evening. To in fact receive Salvation that night.

My question is this, from a merely personal perspective; are we the light of the world? If we are, it’s quite a dichotomy. Perhaps there are people who find it cozy or less threatening. Perhaps they find it easier to be surrounded by the dark to enter in. Or perhaps they could simply close their eyes as they sing and worship? It’s dark there too.

There is always the possibility that a music worship service appeals more to the soul realm of our lives than the spirit. If the ministry is soulish, the outward man will probably enjoy the experience, but what of the Spirit man? Are we then changed in the presence of the Lord, or participating in a merely feel-good experience?

I was listening to Dr. Kevin Zadai a few nights ago as I lay in bed; he said something that struck me, especially in light of our own musings…

He said words to the effect, “no amount of smoke machines and flashing lights can cover up for a church that is Ichabod” (the glory has departed).

Be it not on our watch, Lord!

It's a question that perhaps we all need to ask ourselves as church leaders, worship leaders, musicians and parishioners.

Revelation 22:1-5 NLT

1. Then the Angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2. It flowed down the centre of the Main Street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 3. No longer will there be a curse upon on anything. For the throne of God and the Lamb will be there, and His servants will worship him. 4. And they will see his face, and His name will be written on their foreheads. 5. And there will be no night there-no need for lamps for sun-but the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

Perhaps we should be getting ready for the Light rather than sitting in darkness? (Matthew 4;16)

In the meantime, do you need to bring a torch?

This excellent piece was written by Leonie Robson who is a song contestant and part of the Firstfruits Music Awards family.

To listen to some of Leonie and her husband Ivan’s song click here:

https://www.youtube.com/@thelatterrain.../featured

#prayers #intercession #watchman #christianmusic

Eric Reverence, Ambassador Of Firstfruits Music Awards Receives Prestigious Global Award.

Invited to attend the premier ICMA global conference in Chennai India, Eric was completely unaware that he would be honoured with the ICMA ‘Follow Me’ Award for his services to the music industry; for empowering and enriching individuals for Kingdom impact.

Eric is an international worship leader, recording artist, business adviser and event planner. To listen to some of Eric's material visit:

Eric Reverence YouTube Channel

#gospelmusic #christianmusic #recordingartist #ambassador #christianity #christianleadership #musicaward #Contest