It's Friday but Sundays coming

It’s Friday but Sunday’s comin’
It’s Friday, Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, the disciples are hiding, Peter is denying, Judas is betraying. But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, those six trials by night have been a sham, and the king of Glory is tired and weary.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spat upon. His beard is torn from his face.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, the Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, the Son of Gods stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. A scarlet robe placed upon has torn back as they mock the King of King.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, see Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It’s Friday.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, see those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and wrists of my Lord. The agony is beyond words yet he cried out, “Father, forgive them.” It’s Friday.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, Jesus is hanging on the cross dying next to criminals.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, the sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, “My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?” What a horrible cry…
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday and at the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday, Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that’s because it’s Friday, and they don’t know it…
But Sunday’s a comin'
It’s Friday, the earth trembles, the sky grows dark as Jesus absorbs the punishment for the sins of the world.
But Sunday’s comin’.
Jesus breathes his last and dies upon the cross…
But Sundays comin’
It’s Friday, hope is lost, death has won and Satan’s just laughin’.
But he doesn’t know…Sundays comin’
It’s Friday, Jesus is buried in a tomb, the stone is rolled over the entrance and two soldiers stand guard.
But Sunday’s comin’.
The disciples are running the women are weeping the crowds are leaving, but its only Friday.
It is only Friday.
Sunday is a comin’!
It’s Friday…
But let me tell you something Sunday’s comin’
Today is Friday and many people will go on with their busy lives, they will accept the holidays from work, the chocolate eggs and party invites yet they will pay little or no attention to Jesus death on the cross. They will shrug their shoulders at his death; perhaps it has no relevance to them, maybe they will accuse him of being a mythical figure, a delusional Jewish boy or merely a good man or prophet. Some will just avoid the truth that they know deep inside because they are afraid to face the reality that will demand a change; they might as well be made of the same chocolate they enjoy eating...
What about you? Show some courage today. Just stop for a moment to read and reflect upon the most significant three days in the history of the world. No politician, army, nation or religious leader has affected the world like Jesus. The very date on your phone and newspaper points to his life, death burial and resurrection. Jesus is the son of God and you cannot ignore him any longer. He deserves more.

You will never understand the significance of Friday until you embrace the power of Sunday. If Jesus did not rise from the dead then our faith, our hope is lost. So let me remind you… Sunday’s comin’. Show up at a bible believing church and discover the peace, the joy, the glory, the liberty, the hope, the love, the power of Sunday.

The Evangelist who led me to Jesus: Roger Carswell

On the 5th October 1992, in Albertbridge Congregational Church, Phil Mitchell (my brother) and Steven Baxter shared their testimony. Evangelist Roger Carswell then preached a message: ‘You must be born again’.

I was 19 years of age and sitting towards the back of the church. I knew what I needed to do...

That night I took a little booklet entitled The Journey in Life by Norman Warren and prayed asimple prayer inviting Jesus to be my Saviour and Lord.
My life was transformed.

Today it was great to meet up again with Roger Carswell the evangelist who pointed me to Jesus. (I’m holding the poster used in 1992 to advertise the week long mission I attended.)

Thank you Roger Carswell MBE
(Mighty Bold Evangelist)

Below is the text from the prayer I prayed that night.
You could pray the same prayer now and invite Jesus to save you.
Why? Because you must be born again.

Lord Jesus Christ, I know I have sinned in my thoughts, words and actions.

There are so many good things I have not done.
There are so many sinful things I have done.

I am sorry for my sins and turn from everything I know to be wrong.

You gave your life upon the cross for me.
Gratefully I give my life back to you.

Now I ask you to come into my life.

Come in as my Saviour to cleanse me.
Come in as my Lord to control me.
And I will serve you all the remaining years of my life in complete obedience.

Amen.

Prayer of St Patrick

☘️Wishing you all a very happy and blessed #StPatricksDay ☘️





Prayer of #StPatrick
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.

Evangelist Steve Hill and the birth of Crown Jesus Ministries

I never get tired of telling the story of how Crown Jesus began and today on the anniversary of Steve Hill’s death it seems fitting to reflect and share it one more time.

He has been one of the most influential preachers in my life.

Maybe for some of you this will be the first time reading the story of how Crown Jesus began. My heart is that you will catch the fire of the story and vision that unfolded. 

In May 1999 I was in my 2nd year at Belfast Bible College studying part-time. Steven Thompson and Pip Kerr were in their first year as full-time students at the same college. 

We all had a heart for evangelism but at that time it looked like Steven would probably go on to be an Elim Pastor and Pip would follow in the footsteps of his mum and dad in overseas mission. 

I had been following the Brownsville Revival with much interest and often sat up late at night watching the Revival meetings led by Steve Hill on God TV (in truth I think in general most of what is on God TV is rubbish and a distortion of the Gospel but I must thank them for their broadcasts from Brownsville). Steve was a former drug addict who came through the Teen Challenge programme. He was the primary preacher and influencer in the Brownsville revival which witnessed hundreds of thousands come to faith in Jesus. 

Steve Hill, along with Reinhard Bonnke, were the most influential preachers in my life at that time. Bonnke, a native of Germany witnessed millions of people come to Christ in Africa. In the 13 years from 1987 until the end of 1999, more than 42 million people attended CFAN’s Great Gospel Campaigns. Ten million of them made a decision for Jesus Christ. I had heard Bonnke preach in Birmingham, Kenya and Belfast and I recall him preaching and praying over me in the Spires Conference Centre, Belfast, during the minus to plus campaign. 

A prayer letter came from CFAN (Reinard Bonnke’s ministry), highlighting a European Fire Conference taking place in Germany, and both Reinhard and Steve Hill would be speaking at it. I suggested to Steven and Pip we should attend and as I was the only one in full-time employment (then a firefighter), I offered to cover the cost of the flights.

On a sunny evening in Barcelona, as Manchester United achieved the impossible win over Bayern Munich in the Champions league final, we had just landed in Germany. I had a ticket to the game and gave it away for free to a United Supporter (Ian Crow)...a greater Miracle, however, was about to unfold in Germany.

On the 28th May 1999 Steve Hill stood in a Leisure Complex in the town of Boblingen Germany and preached from Revelations 3:11: ‘Hold fast to what you now have that no man may take your crown.’ 

Whatever the anointing is…he had it. I have never heard preaching like it. I cried through much of the preach. They had to find another interpreter as he collapsed weeping on the stage. 

At the end Steve made an alter call and hundreds ran to the front to give their lives to Jesus. I almost gave my life Jesus again. Such was the holiness and fire mix I wondered if I was even saved at all before that meeting! 

That night Steven, Pip and I walked back to the hotel knowing God had lit a fuse within us. We stayed up late and talked, dreamed and prayed. 

The following night on 29th May, Reinhard preached and called upon people to get into groups representing their native country as he wanted to commission us and lay hands on us in the hope that God would use us to change our nations. There was a group and flag for the UK and there was one for Ireland. In our hearts, minds and spirit there was only one island and nation to align ourselves with, God didn’t see the border and so when they called out Ireland, three young men walked forward. Although thousands of people had gathered from across Europe there was no one else representing Ireland. 

That night at the back of the hall we huddled together and prayed.  I cried like a baby knowing my life would never be the same again.

A vision was birthed to reach Ireland, the whole island, with the Gospel. The next day we began to put some plans into action but we really didn’t know what we were doing. We had a vision and calling but God had not dowloaded a guidebook and maps.

How did we end up with the name? 

It was quite simple, Steven wanted to call the ministry Crown ministries or Crown Him ministries after Steve's preach. I wanted to call it ‘Jesus ministries’ as Reinhard had preached ‘Only Jesus’. And as Pip refereed the debate (he would often step in between us and do this) we agreed on a name: Crown Jesus Ministries. 

Back home we shared the vision with our pastors, leaders, friends, Bible College Principal etc and set the wheels in motion to appoint a board of directors. The first ten months we took four bookings; Finaghy youth Club and Bangor Elim (J Zone) being two of them. 

The rest as they say is history…

Evan Roberts during the Welsh revival of 1905 prayed over George Jeffries. George Jeffries prayed over Reinhard Bonnke, Reinard Bonnke prayer over me... now listen, i’m not arrogant enough to put my name alongside these Generals, I'm not sure what theology you have on this (i’m not sure what theology I have on it!), but I live with a vision and a calling birthed that weekend in Germany.… will you join me and our team? ‘To see the people of Ireland Crown Jesus Lord of their lives.’

Since 17th November 2017, (in less than four months) we have recorded 267 people responding to the Gospel through the ministry of Crown Jesus. 

Thank you Steve Hill and Reinhard Bonnke for your faithfulness to the Gospel.

Below is a link to Steve Hills preach, titled 'The Crown; You Cant Have It' (it was the same message he preached in Germany). I used to have the VHS cassette of the original Germany preach but I literally played it so many times I broke it. 

I’d love you to find the time to watch it…we look forward to his wife Jeri coming to visit us in June for a week of ministry. I’m hoping she will bring the Crown with her. 

I give thanks today for the life and ministry of Steve Hill. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYZan5wbKds

A prophetic picture for Ireland? The apple tree and the bees. 🐝

Three weeks ago I was driving across the border from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland when I sensed the LORD speaking to me and giving me a picture of an apple tree and bees.

Now, it’s important that you note two things:

Firstly the words ‘I felt the LORD speaking’. I didn’t hear an audible voice but an inward impression.

Secondly I am not someone who gets pictures and visions regularly but when it does happen I pray into it, test it by scripture and take time to consider what the LORD would have me to do with it. Hence the three week gap. 

That evening we had a worship and prayer evening at Crown Jesus Ministries and the special guest felt he had a picture to share... a picture of an apple tree. 

I asked him about it afterward, he NEVER had a picture of an apple tree before! You may call that coincidence but I do not. God was challenging me to reflect further. 

Often the words and pictures I receive are for my own spiritual guidance or for a small group of people. This is the first time I have ever shared a picture on social media and blog but I am only seeking to be faithful to what God has impressed upon my heart. 

It’s yours to discern... 

‘As I was driving across the boarder I  sensed the LORD giving me the following revelation, I saw an apple tree blossom in a garden. Beyond the fences I could see other gardens had  a single apple trees also. They were very pretty, yet some had no fruit, and others had very little fruit and the apples were small. 

I enquired of the LORD what was the meaning?

The reason for the lack of fruit was the lack of cross pollination. These trees all required a pollination partner, the partner has to be a different variety of the same fruit species. Two trees of the same variety will not pollinate each other.

The Lord then impressed upon me these words: ‘In 2018 the bees are coming. I am sending swarms of bees to pollinate the trees, do not be afraid of the bees in your garden, do not be afraid to give away pollen, do not chase my bees from your flowers.’

This is my interpretation of the picture and words:

Churches and ministries across Ireland are the trees, in being over protective of our ministries, money and members we have chased the bees from our garden. We have been afraid of the very thing that will bring much fruit. We need to give away our pollen. The Lord is sending the bees, 2018/19 has the potential to be the most fruitful years ever if we will only take our eyes of our own tree, not be afraid of the bees and give to the Kingdom of God. (It was significant that I was crossing the boarder at the time I received the the picture being inclusive but not exclusive to cross-boarder projects.)

In practice what will this look like? Some examples:

1. Send your young people on mission trips across the border and let them experience the diversity.

2. Building relationships, sharing resources and finances with other church’s in your community will bring you much fruit.

3. Giving money away to mission local and across the island.

4. Make the most of para-church organisations such as Summer Madness, S.U, Y.F.C, Young Life, C.I.Y, Exodus, Crown Jesus etc. sharing skills and resources with local churches and with each other.

5. Investing in church planting across Ireland. 

6. Pioneer more non-denominational prayer gatherings/ networks  and outreach events. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister freely in power.

7. Releasing your congregation into ministry and mission in Ireland will bring much fruit.

A brief prayer:

Father God, give us the ability to see beyond our own fence, to take courage and invite your Holy Spirit to invade our garden. Freely we give our resources to the Mission of God in Ireland. Father God, bear your fruit in us that Jesus Christ your son might be gloried in our lives,

Amen

Mitch,
Evangelist