David Hathaway

'Fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you' (2 Timothy 1). In telling Timothy to fan into flames the gift of God, Paul was encouraging him to persevere. Timothy did not need new revelations or new gifts; he needed the courage and self-discipline to hang on to the truth and to use the gifts he had already received. When you use the gifts God has given you, you will...

In Chapter 6:3, Paul writes, “If anyone teaches false doctrines and doesn’t agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing! He has an unhealthy interest in controversy and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of corrupt mind who have been robbed of th...

There is a reward for faithfulness, both in this life, and in eternity. Interestingly, Paul teaches in 1 Timothy 5:23, that we must be careful with our health. Yes, Paul teaches about miracles of healing; Timothy is taught to believe for miracles; yet, Paul is indicating that we all have a responsibility to look after our health, he seems to suggest that there are weaknesses and sicknesses in our...

As I write this, we have returned from Armenia where the Day of Prayer was a phenomenal miracle. Though we have been working towards a United Day of Prayer for Armenia for some years now, the developing critical situation with Azerbaijan precipitated action; with only one month to pull all our plans together and make it happen, on Saturday 27th May, 5000 people from all over the nation – some trav...

We are called and chosen by God. Jesus said, 'You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.' Being in ministry is a vocation, by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1). Throughout chapter 5&6 of 1 Timothy, Paul is very concerned to instruct his young disciple how to...

Wherever I go, people talk about revival. But I’ve seen real powerful Holy Ghost revival - in Hungary, Bulgaria, Russia and Ukraine - it was a revival that changed society! An advisor to the government said on state TV that only the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ saved those soviet countries from chaos when communism collapsed. My father was converted in the Welsh Revival. He said when th...

We’ve got to get back to the Truth and the Authority and the Power of God’s Word. Here Paul says in1 Timothy 4:8, “Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things - in the present life and in the life to come.” Godliness is the most important, but it’s interesting that Paul slips in here, that physical training is of some value… When you read this, I shall be well past m...

“Fight the good fight, hold on to faith and a good conscience - because some have rejected these and shipwrecked their faith.” Chapter 2 begins, “I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Saviou...

“I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:12-17.) I like to tell the story of one of the greatest messages I have ever preached: it was to 1,400 criminals in a high security prison in Siberia. I told them of a God of love and forgiveness - and out of...

We preach a Gospel of love. And the motivation for all that we do should be love. The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy said, 'The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discus...

We have been called and chosen by Jesus. in 1 Timothy Paul introduces himself as an ‘apostle of Jesus Christ by the Command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our Hope’. That’s important for you and for me, because Paul was not one of the first 12 apostles. The remaining 11 disciples, after the betrayal and death of Judas, had to decide who should replace him in the ministry. A man called Matt...

When Jesus teaches the Lord's prayer, which we all know and love, do we realise that the opening line of the prayer, which says, 'Our Father', emphasises the relationship we have with God. He is your Father. You are His child. Approach God in prayer the same way you would talk with someone you love and respect: an open heart, attentive to their voice.  Jesus speaking about prayer in Matthew 6, ver...

Since my last newsletter, I have been to Ukraine. What a triumph of blessing! Most of the time was filming for our documentary on Ukraine which is being produced with some urgency. But on the Sunday, I preached to a church with 5,000 attending despite the war!

In this episode David continues his message on the Power of Prayer. It is so important that we are in a right relationship with the Lord. Where we fellowship and are in union with Him. It is through this communion that our steps are ordered of the Lord, so that we will be in the right place at the right time, according to His foreknowledge.  But how do we develop this right relationship with Jesus...

Prayer is a relationship with our Heavenly Father. It is more than just communicating, it is communion. In prayer we fellowship with Jesus. We need prayer to keep us inline with God's plans and purposes. The Bible is God's blueprint, it is our guidebook for life. We must walk in fellowship with the Lord until His plans become our plans, and He imparts His will into our hearts, and we pray until it...

The Scripture teaches that we must worship the Lord our God. To serve Him only. How do we resist temptation? How do we overcome evil? We are to worship the Lord. We need to pray and be watchful, lest we are enticed by materialism. We can resist temptations the same way Jesus did. If you find yourself craving something that the world offers, quote Jesus' words to the devil. You must worship the Lor...

Why did Jesus have to be baptised? While even the greatest prophets in the Bible had to confess their sins, Jesus was the perfect, sinless Lamb of God. Although He didn't need forgiveness, His baptism was an identification with our humanity. We need salvation. Through baptism, Jesus showed us how we receive remission for our sins. Baptism is symbolic of the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

All of us as believers are looking toward the return of Christ. And much like John the Baptist in Mark 1, our duty is to prepare the way of the Lord. How do we today, prepare the way of the Lord? Jesus said that the Gospel must be preached to all nations. 'The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘I will send my messenger ahead...

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.’ Powerful prayer works! The original Greek of the Bible often uses a special word for power: dunamis – it signifies miraculous, wonder-working power. From it we get the words dynamo (which generates power), and dynamite (the explosive). If you want prayer to work, to change your circumstances, then it must generate power. And it has to b...

'Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil, in the Name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.' (James 5:14, NIV.) In my experience from over 70 years in ministry, I believe that the Scripture teaches two different ministries of healing. The first is for evangelism where J...

'Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an exa...

As I write this, I am about to go to Ukraine. In addition to meeting many church leaders, I shall be preaching in Kyiv. Despite the war the church is full of people praying for their nation! Shortly after my return, I will go to Germany to renew my relationship with our German friends and partners where Eurovision began as a charity in 1988. This time my visit is to hold a powerful Day of Prayer f...

'Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.' (James 5:7-8, NIV) The farmer must wait patiently for his crops to grow. The process cannot be hurried. He does not take the summer off. There is...

The future is in the Lord's hands. What would you like to be doing ten years from now? One year from now?  Tomorrow? How would you react if God rearranges your plans? Yes, make plans and preparations for the future, but first seek God's guidance and submit to His plans. 'Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make mone...

'Draw close to God and God will draw close to you. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up' (James 4:8-10.) How can we draw close to God. In this chapter, James gives us several ways. Humble yourselves before God. This means to yield to His authority and will. Commit your life to Him, and be willing to follow Him. We must resist the devil and his evil schemes. Purify our hearts....