Sunday 28 September 2014

Loving God

We have launched a new series called 'Loving God'that we are praying the Holy Spirit will use in power. Romans 5 v5 'God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us' This pouring out of love was a fulfillment of the prayer request of Jesus to the Father in John 17 v26 'I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.' Our vision is not functional but relational - it doesn't matter where we are it only matters who we are with and Jesus wants us to know by the power of the Holy Spirit the love of the Father. It is that love of the Father that will sustain and empower and motivate us into all ministry. Just as the Lost Son in Luke 15 returned to the loving arms of a father so are we called to make that same return - we may feel unworthy but he will call us 'son'or'daughter' and when we know the embrace of the Father then His love will spill over to others. Pray that we all get a fresh revelation of Jesus, a new empowering of the Holy Spirit and a deep joy in the intimate presence of our loving Father God.

Saturday 21 June 2014

Arise and Stand

Key points from the Arise and Stand conference (Steve Hepden and Emma Stark – see OCF websie for podcasts of the talks):- 1. we must metamorphosise from caterpillars into butterflies, from ordinary to extra-ordinary 2. stop simply seeking 'visitations' of God and instead become a 'habitation' for God (so wherever you are you influence others for the kingdom and in love) 3. be predictable in character but unpredictable in action (move out of our comfort zones and embrace change) 4. our destiny becomes clearer when our identity is clearer. Stop only seeking the gifts and seek to be the gift in our spheres of influence. 5. What is a prophet? a prophet is someone who shapes the future by speaking into the now 6. We must be eagles that soar high on the thermals of the Spirit not parrots that sit on our perches of religion and tradition 7. We must avoid just experiences with out Jesus by coming through the door which is Jesus (John 10 v7) 8. There is still an issue in church of rejected women and insecure men - both need to be healed for us to move forward as a church 9. we must BE a solution instead of just need a solution (Romans 8 v28) and bring the King's orders into places of influence. Have a heart to be a solution and use what ever is in your hand (Exodus 4 v2) i.e. your skills, gifts, position, knowledge, abilities 10. It is God who sets the agenda - Exodus 34 v10 - 14 11.Eagerly desire ('lust after') the gifts (1 Cor. 12 v31) and be eager to prophecy (1 Cor 14 v39) 12. Carpe Deum = 'seize the day' 13. Unity is crucial because Holy Spirit dwelling has a corporate nature. Acts 4 v24 & 32: we are members TOGETHER - a passion for Christ will lead to unity 14. What we think are giants have already been destroyed at the cross of Jesus. Jesus has already overcome the world - (we must take hold of our possessions) 15. We were made first and foremost to be face to face with God. We were not made for the outer courts but for the inner courts. 16. There is an emotion that comes with salvation and that is jOY! 17. There is a new call to love God and each other authentically and to embrace vulnerability. For 'arm pit living' when we are honest with each other and acknowledge that we get things wrong but to love first. 18. Many families will be saved 19. People will come not because of our programmes but because of our 'burning' (passion for Him) as we fix our eyes on the things above and as we become a habitation for the weight of the glory of God. Thank you to all those who organised the conference. So many people have been blessed by your hard work and love for God. He is the Alpha and the Omega.