Final post

As we now have two face book pages www.facebook.com/claptonsa and www.facebook.com/stokenewingtonsa we believe it is time to stop posting here. Thank you for reading. May God richly bless you in the future. We look forward to interacting with you through facebook. Love and prayers always.

Acts 4:31

Acts 4:31

"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Whatever life is throwing at you today remember the truth that the God of the Bible is the same God who is available to us today. The Holy Spirit that came at Pentecost is the same Holy Spirit who's power is available to each one of us today. Trust the God who created the universe with your life today and watch him work in you and through you. You will be amazed. Talk to him, pray according to his will and watch in awe as you see his kingdom come in your life and in the lives of those around you.

Teach us to pray!

As followers of Jesus we all need to pray, prayer is the key way to communicate with our heavenly Father. If we don’t spend time talking to him, we can never expect to understand what he is saying to us. If we don’t talk to our friends and family we don’t know what is happening with them, we grow distant and begin to enjoy different things. It’s the same with God we need to spend time with him to understand what he is saying to us and to discover his will for our lives. Sometimes it is hard to pray, we don’t know what to say, we find ourselves coming before God and wondering how to pray. In the New Testament the disciples asked Jesus how to pray and he gave them a pattern for prayer, The Lord’s prayer: Remember the creator of this amazing world wants to be in relationship with you, so much, that he has left us a pattern to follow when we talk to him.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

Try is,use it allow God through the Holy Spirit to speak through it, into your life today!

Acts 10:9-16

Peter’s Vision

⁹ About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof⁽ to pray. ¹⁰ He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹ He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹² It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. ¹³ Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”¹⁴ “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”¹⁵ The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”¹⁶ This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

Peter in his vision responds from his safe place of tradition and refuses. In Leviticus 11v44-45, we have strict guidelines that Peter refers to.

Leviticus 11:44-45

⁴⁴ I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground.⁴⁵ I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.

Acts 10 is like a bomb exploding. Peter realises that the living God is speaking to him and whilst it is always beneficial to fall back on scripture and tradition. By doing this we may miss out on what the Spirit is doing. Peter is obviously confused when Cornelius’ servants arrive to see him. The next day they all travel to Caesarea to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Peter, a Jew, again was breaking Jewish tradition by associating with Gentiles.

Peter listens to Cornelius’ story and then preaches the gospel as he finished preaching the Spirit fell on those who listened. The Gentile listeners were not baptised or circumcised and yet the Holy Spirit, descended upon them. God in this story shows to Peter, and to us, that the gospel is for the entire world, all nations, all ages, and all people groups. But it is also apparent that God wants to reach lost mankind in partnership with mankind. He invites us to be part of his mission. Taking part in the mission of God means leaving our place of security, to travel to the place where others are. It is always in the direction of others not ourselves.

So the challenge of this story for today. We must be prepared to let God do new things. Even if we don’t like it. We don’t get it, and we would rather he didn’t. Acts 10 is a story of a man and a community who were prepared to think and act outside of the box. We must learn not to confine and constrain God. We must be radically dependent on God and follow where he leads. We must also realise that God is active in the world outside the church. Cornelius was not part of the early church, but God spoke to him. We do not hold a monopoly on the love of God. It is available to all men.

Acts 1:8

^"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Ever seen the light generated by a light house. We are called to share the light of Jesus, so that everybody we know can get to know him to.The challenge is to stay focused and live lives that reflect the love of God every minute of every day. The good news, the hope found in Jesus really is for the whosoever, we are all called, choosen and equiped by the Holy Spirit to share the gospel. Lets each one of us be brave enough to say yes to God today and then allow him to work in and through us every day!

The Early Church

Acts 4:32-37

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

The Early Church saw people who were from very different back grounds living out life together regardless of individual circumstances, for example some were wealthier than others. But regardless of individuals circumstances the unity and love of believers for one another radically changed their attitude towards possessions - it became 'ours' rather than 'mine'.

But they didn't all immediately give up their goods in a gigantic jumble sale. Mind you if someone came into the charity shop and said they had sold their flat or house and wanted to give the money to the church, then we would probably consider their offer. Nor was this the start of New Testament communism. They exercised wisdom given to them through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in their lives. In the earlier church there was integrity, accountability and sacrificial generosity. As you can read further into Acts you see the apostles were having a ball –miracles were happening right in front of their eyes, healings occurred, the church was growing in abundance – There must have been a great buzz around, every day the adrenalin most have been pumping around their body’s wondering what was going to happen that new day, how was the holy spirit going to impact their community.
I wonder how many of us, especially in the Western world, would have been convinced and brave enough to join the early believers. The apostles didn't attempt to make the gospel more interesting in order to win people of the kingdom. The new believers knew they were coming into relationship with a holy God who hates sin.
Jesus had walked with His apostles for three life-changing years. They had seen Him teach, heal, suffer, die and ascend to heaven. He had trained, them well, and they, in turn, now empowered by the Holy Spirit, were teaching, healing, suffering and would eventually die and be welcomed into heaven. That same power is still available to us today.The Holy Spirit that came in power at Pentecost, that the early church experienced is still available today to each one of us.
Let’s choose to say yes to Jesus today.

Thank you!

We are back in the building tomorrow. God is really good! 

Acts 2 The Fellowship of the Believers
"42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in  their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."


Let us all believe that even more people are going to get to know Jesus now we have the building back. We need to pray deliberately, intelligently for friends that have yet to realise that they are loved unconditionally by Jesus. As we watch God build his church, lets us keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, lets allow the Holy Spirit to fill us completely, then our lives will reflect Jesus and people will step into his love.
Praying for you all!

Pentecost

Acts 2

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus  and Asia,¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. ¹⁵ These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! ¹⁶ No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

¹⁷ “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
¹⁸ Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
¹⁹ I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
²⁰ The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
²¹ And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Today we focused on Love God, Love One Another and Love All!

We must make sure that Jesus is central to everything that we are, we do this by being with other Christians, praying  and reading God's word. We must love each other as though we are family (look at Jada and Jada) and finally we must love other people and show them the love of God in the way we live our lives - then they will want to know why we live as we do and meet Jesus for themselves. We do all of this through the power of the Holy Spirit! This Pentecost lets allow the Holy Spirit to so fill our lives that other people can see and touch Jesus in us.

"Acts 2:47 "And the Lord added daily to their number those who were being saved."

We are out of the building for the refurbishment, the planned maintenance work so tomorrow we meet at 3pm in Downs Road Methodist Church at 3pm.Please join us if you can.

We now have a Facebook page. www.facebook.com/ClaptonSA. Have a look and see what is happening. In the meantime if you need us to pray then please email us your prayer requests clapton.corps@salvationarmy.org.uk.

We are meeting at 7pm next Tuesday to pray walk the area at the hall. We are trusting and believing god for amazing things in the future, if you need help trust him then call in (once the building work is complete in two weeks time) or send us an email.

Tomorrows key verse is Isaiah 45:22, Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God and there is no other." Everyone can choose to follow Jesus. whatever your background, culture, age, your present circumstances. No one is excluded. John 3: 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him, will not perish but will have everlasting life. " Starting today, please trust Jesus for everything - he will never, ever let you down.
Praying for you. 

“The ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

Isaiah 51:11

I think the above picture shows pure childish joy. (Pepper Pig came to Toddlers and the little children just smiled and laughed.) 

We can experience joy  - deep down happiness, when we live in the power of the Holy Spirit as redeemed children of our Heavenly Father. God our Saviour is faithful to his covenant word and we are members of the new covenant ratified by Jesus’ blood. The restoration plan is for the whole of mankind, to be set free from sin and to be released and live as God intended. Jesus paid the ransom price for our release so that we can all be part of his redeemed people. We are part of the kingdom of God.

God loves to restore individuals, because once one person comes to know Jesus then that is caught by someone else and suddenly we look round and find a community full of believers.

 

Acts 2:47, "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

Acts 2:47, "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

Today in church we welcomed Mary, Matthew, Elizabeth, Andrew, Vithleem and Ishmael as adherents.God is good! The challenge for each of us, is to be obedient to God's call on our lives. God has a unique plan for each of our lives, lets each be open and when God calls be brave enough to say YES! "Because he lives I can face tomorrow, because he lives all fear is gone, because I know he holds the future and life is worth the living just because he lives! The picture shows Ishmael and Karl enjoying food and coffee together. There use to be an old song that had these words in it, "put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water, put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea..." Today try putting your life into the hands of Jesus, you will never be let down and he will never disappoint you. In a world where everything keeps changing he is unchanging and totally reliable. Give Jesus a chance today!

Hear the call of the kingdom!

The world still needs to see and hear Jesus. The only possible way most people can do so us through the testimony of our lives and the words of our mouths. This would be impossible in our own ability but we have the gift of the Holy Spirit to sanctify and empower us. Galatians 5:22-23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.” By daily submitting ourselves to the Spirit of God, as Jesus did, we shall become good examples of what it means to be the Lord’s servants. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me know, poured out like oil over me, for the Lord has called and anointed me to preach good news to the poor, to bind the broken heart, to free the captive soul, open blind eyes , make broken people whole and I know this is the hour of his favour and his power and his spirit is upon me now. We are God’s called and chosen people, do our lives really stack up, do we love as Jesus loved, do we live putting others first. It’s hard and we can only do it in his strength and not in our own. "Hear the call of the kingdom, to be children of light, with the mercy of heaven , the humility of Christ. Walking justly before him, loving all that is right. That the life of Christ may shine through us."

Jesus is Lord of all things!

Isaiah 44:9

“All who makes idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless.”

Isaiah 40:18-20 ¹⁸ With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?
¹⁹ As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it.
²⁰ A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple.” 
Isaiah 44:9-20All who makes idols are nothing and their treasures are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame.
¹⁰ Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit nothing?
¹¹ People who do that will be put to shame; such craftsmen are only human beings. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and shame. ¹² The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint.
¹³ The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in human form, human form in all its glory, that it may dwell in a shrine.
¹⁴ He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.
¹⁵ It is used as fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.
¹⁶ Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”
¹⁷ From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, Save me! You are my god!”
¹⁸ They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand.
¹⁹ No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say,
“Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”
²⁰ Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”

Isaiah 45:20-21 ²⁰ “Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save. ²¹ Declare what is to be, present it— let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Saviour; there is none but me.”

Colossians 1:15 ^“15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

Hebrews 1:3 ^“3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Today what are the idols in your life, who, what or where do you worship when only God should have first place in your life. For me it is my Iphone, I am lost if I am not carrying it about, I am lost if I can't instantly communicate with my family. The challenge to each one of us is to trust Jesus completely, knowing that he holds each day in his hands and he will help us get through. When I stand in glory, I will see his face, There I'll serve my king for ever in that holy place.... May our lives be about Jesus!

There is only one God!

Isaiah 45:5 “I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.”
*When someone tells you that God does not exist how do you answer them?
John 4:20-24
“20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Isaiah 66
“1 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? 2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. “

Ephesians 2:19-22
“19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

The God who created the universe choose to reach down to us. We cannot reach God but God has reached us. In Jesus we see the justice, the mercy and the humility of God. It is pure grace reaching out and touching our lives with his love. Today how do we respond to this amazing God who loves us so much that he gave up everything so that we might have life eternally in abundance? The word of this chorus I would like to suggest sums up what our response should be. “I am yours, set apart for you, I am yours hungry for your truth, take my life you are all I live for, I am yours!"It's my prayer, may it be yours too.

Good Friday & Easter Sunday

To be Continued...

The cross was not the end, just the beginning. The transforming power of Jesus can and will do incredible things in our lives, when we live in the truth that we are all loved unconditionally by God. When our lives are placed into his hands he will amaze us, as he works in and through us!

Happy Easter!

Palm Sunday

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Matthew 21:1-11
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
"Say to the Daughter of Zion, `See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest, as we approach Easter may our lives sing out Hosanna to other people who have yet to know Jesus.

17th March 2012

You're Special

These words have been around for ever but they are so very, very true.

In all the world there is nobody like you.
Since the beginning of time, there has never been another person like you,
Nobody has your smile, your eyes, your hands, your hair.
Nobody owns your handwriting, your voice.
You’re special.
Nobody can paint your brushstrokes
Nobody has your taste for food or music or dance or art.
Nobody in the universe sees things as you do.
In all time there has never been anybody who laughs in exactly your way,
And what makes you laugh or cry or think
May cause a totally different response in another,
So…. You’re special
You are different from any other person who has ever lived in all history
You are the only one in the whole of creation
Who has your particular set of abilities
There is always someone who is better at one thing or another than you
But no one has your combination of talents and feelings.
Through all eternity, no one will ever walk, talk,
think,or do anything exactly like you.
You’re special.
You’re rare, and in all rarity there is an enormous value
And because of your great value
The need for you to imitate anybody else is absolutely unnecessary
You’re special…. And it’s no accident you are
Please realise God made you for a special purpose
He has a job for you to do as well as you can.
Out of the billions of applicants, only one is qualified.
Only one has the unique and right combination of what it takes,
And that one is you

Remember John3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

However you are feeling today you are loved, and you are unique and loved by God without question and for eternity. Trust him today and be secure in his love every moment of this week and for ever!

Thank you

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
I just want to say that Clapton Salvation Army is an amazing place to belong to. We have an amazing leadership team and amazing people who will help and do anything to further the Kingdom of God. Thank you! If you have never worshipped with us that give it a try, or even just call in for coffee during the week. We would love to see you and meet with you.

3rd March 2012

This song is really powerful and speaks into the heart of everything we are as a church. Let each one of us renew again our commitment to reach out to people who don't Jesus. We need to be on our knees praying for the people we know who are not yet followers of Jesus, because if you are like me then when I get to heaven I want everybody I know to be there.

Hear the call of the kingdom

Lift your eyes to the king

Let his song rise within you

As a fragrant offering

Of how God rich in mercy

Came in Christ to redeem

All who trust in his unfailing grace

Here the call of the kingdom

To be children of light
With the mercy of heaven

The humility of Christ

Walking justly before him

Loving all that is right

That the life of Christ may shine through us

King of Heaven we will answer the call
We will follow bringing hope to the world

Filled with passion, filled with power to proclaim

Salvation in Jesus name

Hear the call of the kingdom

To reach out to the lost
With the Father's compassion
In the wonder of the cross
Bringing peace and forgiveness

And a hope yet to come
Let the nations put their trust in him

Lyrics by Keith Getty

Today as we pray let us give Jesus first place in everything we are and everything we hope to become. Let's continue to believe the impossible and see God's Kingdom grow in our community."And the Lord added daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:47

February 25th

Roller Coaster's get faster or so I am told by some friends of mine who went to Disney Paris a few weeks ago, actually I can't remember the last times I was on one. However sometimes life is like a Roller Coaster, things happen and we just can't stop them and we feel like we are being turned upside down and flung about. If today is like that for you then, hold on in there. God is totally true to his promises and he will never ever let us fly off the end. Sometimes in life God takes us where he wants us to go and he shoves us with a mighty push when we hesitate or don’t have enough faith to believe he can and is working in our lives and in this, his world. Regardless of how we feel today or how much we mess up and loose our way the transforming power of the cross is available to us every day. The truth for every situation is Jesus, so let's just keep trusting and hold on and allow him to be Lord of everything we are and everything we hope to be.

Malachi 3:10
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Keep praying

Ephesians 6:10-18
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

We are taught very clearly in God' word to pray, God wants us to be part of his mission here on earth and unless we are in relationship with him how are we going to know what he is doing and what to to do next, have you ever played with a Rubix cube, they just keep getting in a muddle, and then a miracle may occur and suddenly you have managed to complete it. Life is sometimes just like that , we really can't make it on our own, we need to keep praying and just like a Rubik cube, suddenly all the bits really will fall into place, it may take a while because it will be in God's perfect time until that happens we just need to keep trusting and praying.

Keep praying! See you soon!

,

I'll fight

This is William Booth the founder of the Salvation Army's last famous speech:
While women weep, as they do now,

I'll fight; while little children

go hungry, as they do now,

I'll fight; while men
go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now,

I'll fight; while there
is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end!”
(From: BOOTH THE BELOVED, by J Evan
Smith (Oxford University Press, 1949), pages 123-12)

Isaiah 61:4 “They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long
devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for
generations.”

The challenge is for each one of us to say yes to God and become part of the answer, we need to as we are challenged "fight", fights for people's salvation and keep fighting until we see God's kingdom come in our community, until we see the whole community impact and won for Jesus!

The Lord's Prayer

The Lord’s prayer:
Luke 11:1-13
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer
1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”
5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

In Luke 11 we have just read how the disciples gathered round Jesus and said to him, “Teach us to pray”. They wanted instruction. They were the people who had spent time with Jesus they had seen him go off and pray, they had seen how important his relationship with God was , how powerful the effect of praying to his Father had on his life and they wanted to know how to tap into that same power.
Often when people asked Jesus a question he replied in a story or with a question this time the disciples got a really clear answer, they got the instructions they asked for.
He gave then the words that have become known as the Lord’s Prayer. From that day to this books have been written about the Lord’s Prayer, sermons have been preached. Christians of all denominations know the words and it is repeated in numerous Christina gatherings all over the world probably every day. Even people who never go to church know it from their school days.
As a basis for everyday prayer the Lord’s Prayer is unsurpassable. In Matthew’s gospel he includes it within the Sermon on the Mount and he places it along side other instructions for private prayer.
Matthew 6:5-15
Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Jesus is suggesting that when we go to our rooms, or wherever we pray by ourselves we begin by praying, Our father, even when we are alone, we can pray knowing that we are part of the worldwide Body of Christ, His Church in this his world.
After the Lord’s Prayer, Matthew then leads onto some teaching about forgiveness. Out of spending secret, one to one time with God we learn to love others and this influences our relationship with those around us.
Luke’s focuses on Jesus’ own prayer life and the disciples desire to pray as He did. He then follows on with some teaching about the character of God, the one who will reward persistence prayer and open doors and give generously to us his children.
Remember Luke11:9-13 “9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Go on give it ago, use the Lord's prayer as a template and pray and see God work.

8th January 2012

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
"May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!
We are called to live holy lives but we can only do that when we fully rely on Jesus, all the time – when he is Lord of our lives, to do that we need to do certain things – here’s my attempt at a list:
1. READ AND APPLY GODS WORD
2. PRACTISING FORGIVENESS
3 ACTS OF KINDNESS
4. PRAYER
5. WORSHIP AS A 24/7 LIFE STYLE CHOICE
6. SHARE IN A LOVING, ACCOUNTABLE COMMUNITY AT CHURCH
7. HAVE FAITH
9. CELEBRATING GOD’S AMAZING LOVE
We need to stand secure in who we are in Jesus, he has redeemed us, he has called us by name, we are his! When we stand firm on who we are in him then we will stand firm whatever life throws at us, yes we may be heart broken but that’s alright because in our brokenness we will experience his love in the deepest depths of who we are. We may be in a really good place today and again that’s alright, when we are in a good place then how much more can we share God’s love with the people we know.
Isaiah 43 1-5 “1 But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;”
Remember he can and will move the mountains, that we need moving, in his time, in his way, but he will and can and does take care of the rubbish that life can sometimes be – whatever is in the way it can be left, forgotten and forgiven .
Matthew 17:20 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Hold on to the truth that God is dependable – he will never let us down. As people who choose to follow him we must make sure that we keep as close to him as possible –we do this as we have said by reading his word, by praying, by attending church – so we meet with others who have chosen to follow him… Matthew 28:20 “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Today we are here together as family; at the beginning of a new year to commit ourselves to being the people God would have us be in this his world. He wants us all to be part of his plan to bring salvation to the people who we know who don’t know Jesus yet.