Time with God – there is no substitute
His week I had the pleasure again of two days set aside to pray and fast and seek God on my friends boat. Moored in the Blyth Estuary 30 minutes from my home town it is a place far from anyone except God.
I have found as life gets busier and the things I seek to do for God increase in number and importance. To let such times get squeezed out by business is very foolish and short sighted. To have two days of prayer and study requires good planning and a schedule to stick to. I owe a lot to the Navigators and to authors like Richard Foster and his classic book ‘celebration of discipline’. As a young Christina this book and the disciplines of bible meditation taught by heroes of mine like Warren and Ruth Myers of the Navigators put capacity in me from an early age to get up early and seek God with a bible and journal and meditate over sometimes small portions of scripture like a verse or even a line from the psalms. I learnt to listen to God and hear God and feed on Scripture without the aid of anything else. This is a priceless discipline. In our instant and fast food culture where everything is ready made just assemble easily yourself. To learn to hear God from the scriptures in solitude and silence. To learn to pray in tongues for a prolonged time. To pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prayers and requests these are the anvils upon which God’s purposes in and through us are hammered out.
As I began my time on the Boat I was praying and meditating and worshipping God through Psalm 12 Verse 6 says ‘the words of the Lord ‘the word of the Lord came to me’ to hear God speak to be aware of his counsel and direction and affirmation and promises, cannot possibly be bettered by any other experience. Nothing can give such confidence and certainty or courage. I began my time by thanking God he would speak to me whilst I was on the boat seeking him. I began thanking him for all the ties he had spoken to me. I began by telling him that all I ever need is to hear his voice of command and promise and whatever he says I will do, whatever he promises I cannot but trust him for. Once he has spoken sure pure words that cannot ever be false. Nothing can stand against his promises.
I want to encourage you to learn the disciplines of meditating on Scripture. Let the pure words of the Lord shape and direct your life and character.
With so much to do, the stakes are too high to try to do it without hearing from God.
Friday, 8 August 2008
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Hose pipe ban!
Amos 3v7-8 says ‘For the Lord does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. The Lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord has spoken who can but prophesy?
When a hosepipe is attached to a tap, the water flows out of the pipe when the tap is turned on. The pipe does not decide itself when the water is coming. It is rather a willing and attached conduit dependant on the initiative of another.
God speaks and he then causes the outflow of his words to come via his people in prophetic utterance.
We must view prophecy not as trying to talk some thing up but rather as preparing and announcing in advance that which has already been established as inevitable through the mouth of the Lord. It is being announced to us.
This should give us great confidence when we live in an abundance of clear prophetic direction both individually and corporately. God has declared a principle of his operation in that he will not do anything unless he having decided and spoken causes his words and decisions to be announced here on earth through the corporate prophetic gifts given to his people.
If we have drought and a ban on hose pipes in announced watering the flowers and the earth to produce becomes a laborious process. Were God not to speak and were those with prophetic words to choose to keep silent the effect would be the same. How we need the prophetic to water the earth and announce and prepare the ground for the acts of God to spring forth
I love the gift of prophecy. I have found over the years to keep my ear near to the prophetic word of God is vital in life and building church. I urge all who know and love the Lord and are baptised in his Spirit to live keeping open to hearing and speaking what God says to you. In doing so you water dry ground and help God’s people get ready and well positioned for the activity of God.
When a hosepipe is attached to a tap, the water flows out of the pipe when the tap is turned on. The pipe does not decide itself when the water is coming. It is rather a willing and attached conduit dependant on the initiative of another.
God speaks and he then causes the outflow of his words to come via his people in prophetic utterance.
We must view prophecy not as trying to talk some thing up but rather as preparing and announcing in advance that which has already been established as inevitable through the mouth of the Lord. It is being announced to us.
This should give us great confidence when we live in an abundance of clear prophetic direction both individually and corporately. God has declared a principle of his operation in that he will not do anything unless he having decided and spoken causes his words and decisions to be announced here on earth through the corporate prophetic gifts given to his people.
If we have drought and a ban on hose pipes in announced watering the flowers and the earth to produce becomes a laborious process. Were God not to speak and were those with prophetic words to choose to keep silent the effect would be the same. How we need the prophetic to water the earth and announce and prepare the ground for the acts of God to spring forth
I love the gift of prophecy. I have found over the years to keep my ear near to the prophetic word of God is vital in life and building church. I urge all who know and love the Lord and are baptised in his Spirit to live keeping open to hearing and speaking what God says to you. In doing so you water dry ground and help God’s people get ready and well positioned for the activity of God.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
From the Baltic's to Banff
From the Baltic’s to Banff
As I write I hear that 1300 people are booked into our New Frontiers weekend in October. See www.togetherateastofengland.com for further details. I think this will be a hugely significant event for us with far reaching implications for apostolic mission and healthy local church life locally, regionally and internationally. There is something special about coming together as churches on a mission. God somehow cements some things, starts some things and often the environment at such events is full of faith and charged with the presence of God. When I think back perhaps 25 years when we first started seeking to build church on New Testament principles and values in my home town of Lowestoft. A gathering of these numbers of people from the region taking place in Lowestoft with a commonly held vision and passion for the local church would have seemed unthinkable. Praise God for all he has done and will do. This is just a beginning phase.
Over recent years God has been expanding the number of nations we are involved in. From 13th -15th June some 70 of us gathered in Smiltene Latvia for our second Baltic Nations conference. David Jones and the New Frontiers church in Smiltene once again did an outstanding job of organising and planning. Folk from Latvia and Estonia came together with a good number of us from the UK. The meetings were notable and I felt God was repeatedly assuring us of his ongoing presence with us as we seek to plant and build local churches across the Baltic nations.
Of the many memories of the this weekend meeting with new people with a commitment and heart to seeing God move in the Baltic’s and being asked to preach for the first time in Valga Estonia on the Sunday stand out. I felt I made good connections with the leadership team in the church there, especially as we talked over lunch. They have purchased a very large redundant hospital and are in the process of converting it to a variety of community and outreach uses. I was impressed by the vision shown by the small but committed church.
After a couple of days back home it was off to Alberta Canada to speak at the ‘Out of the Box’ conference. Keith and Jeremy Hazell from Mosaic church in Lethbridge hosted this conference which was mainly for those in leadership or ministry. The aim being to address key issues related to building on apostolic foundations and New Testament values in local church life and getting to know more of the folk who are hungry for such things in local church life. I felt we had a very significant time and God was with us in power. Many good relationships were made and existing ones strengthened. I was blessed to be able to travel with Jeremy Simpkins from Teesside. It was such a joy to work together for the first time and it reinforced my belief that working and travelling in team is the best way to proceed.
I preached at Mosaic on Saturday night and saw some lovely healings. I was very encouraged also to spend more time with Jeremy Hazell and the team who are heading up this plant. I felt God really connected us in his purposes and that much likes ahead in the future for us. I then took the 3 hour journey to Lethbridge where I was with Harvest Christian Fellowship on the Sunday. This vibrant church has an abundance of musicians and young people amongst a great bunch of people. I felt a great joy in meeting Richard and Margaret Graham/ Richard leads the church. Margaret heads us he very anointed worship team.
After a very busy few days it was a nice end to go up into the mountains before catching the flight home. Lake Louise near Banff is quite impressive to say the least. As I looked at it I thought one day we are promised the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as chief amongst the mountains. It is this promise that motivates me to do anything in ministry. Jesus has promised he will build his Church as a light in the nations.
It is always a joy to be with Keith and Nova Hazell. They were able to come with us into the mountains. Sue and I have the highest respect and love for them and count it a privilege to know them and call them dear friends.
A brief catch up at home with the inevitable assortment of e-mails. Then we moved my Mum and Step Dad into their new home. We praise God for his provision in their later years in providing this new place for them.
We had an excellent Elders team day yesterday. I am so pleased to be working with such a team. We are blessed to be able now to meet in the day time which is a huge help.
Next week we have our New Frontiers ‘together on a mission’ conference in Brighton with around 5000 delegates from over 40 nations. I anticipate another outstanding time. After that the summer holiday in North Norfolk!
As I write I hear that 1300 people are booked into our New Frontiers weekend in October. See www.togetherateastofengland.com for further details. I think this will be a hugely significant event for us with far reaching implications for apostolic mission and healthy local church life locally, regionally and internationally. There is something special about coming together as churches on a mission. God somehow cements some things, starts some things and often the environment at such events is full of faith and charged with the presence of God. When I think back perhaps 25 years when we first started seeking to build church on New Testament principles and values in my home town of Lowestoft. A gathering of these numbers of people from the region taking place in Lowestoft with a commonly held vision and passion for the local church would have seemed unthinkable. Praise God for all he has done and will do. This is just a beginning phase.
Over recent years God has been expanding the number of nations we are involved in. From 13th -15th June some 70 of us gathered in Smiltene Latvia for our second Baltic Nations conference. David Jones and the New Frontiers church in Smiltene once again did an outstanding job of organising and planning. Folk from Latvia and Estonia came together with a good number of us from the UK. The meetings were notable and I felt God was repeatedly assuring us of his ongoing presence with us as we seek to plant and build local churches across the Baltic nations.
Of the many memories of the this weekend meeting with new people with a commitment and heart to seeing God move in the Baltic’s and being asked to preach for the first time in Valga Estonia on the Sunday stand out. I felt I made good connections with the leadership team in the church there, especially as we talked over lunch. They have purchased a very large redundant hospital and are in the process of converting it to a variety of community and outreach uses. I was impressed by the vision shown by the small but committed church.
After a couple of days back home it was off to Alberta Canada to speak at the ‘Out of the Box’ conference. Keith and Jeremy Hazell from Mosaic church in Lethbridge hosted this conference which was mainly for those in leadership or ministry. The aim being to address key issues related to building on apostolic foundations and New Testament values in local church life and getting to know more of the folk who are hungry for such things in local church life. I felt we had a very significant time and God was with us in power. Many good relationships were made and existing ones strengthened. I was blessed to be able to travel with Jeremy Simpkins from Teesside. It was such a joy to work together for the first time and it reinforced my belief that working and travelling in team is the best way to proceed.
I preached at Mosaic on Saturday night and saw some lovely healings. I was very encouraged also to spend more time with Jeremy Hazell and the team who are heading up this plant. I felt God really connected us in his purposes and that much likes ahead in the future for us. I then took the 3 hour journey to Lethbridge where I was with Harvest Christian Fellowship on the Sunday. This vibrant church has an abundance of musicians and young people amongst a great bunch of people. I felt a great joy in meeting Richard and Margaret Graham/ Richard leads the church. Margaret heads us he very anointed worship team.
After a very busy few days it was a nice end to go up into the mountains before catching the flight home. Lake Louise near Banff is quite impressive to say the least. As I looked at it I thought one day we are promised the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as chief amongst the mountains. It is this promise that motivates me to do anything in ministry. Jesus has promised he will build his Church as a light in the nations.
It is always a joy to be with Keith and Nova Hazell. They were able to come with us into the mountains. Sue and I have the highest respect and love for them and count it a privilege to know them and call them dear friends.
A brief catch up at home with the inevitable assortment of e-mails. Then we moved my Mum and Step Dad into their new home. We praise God for his provision in their later years in providing this new place for them.
We had an excellent Elders team day yesterday. I am so pleased to be working with such a team. We are blessed to be able now to meet in the day time which is a huge help.
Next week we have our New Frontiers ‘together on a mission’ conference in Brighton with around 5000 delegates from over 40 nations. I anticipate another outstanding time. After that the summer holiday in North Norfolk!
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Leadership and the Prophetic
Acts 21:10-11 after we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'
Acts 11:28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)
These occasions in Acts show God using prophetic ministry to shape and prepare individuals and churches for what he intended to do in and through them. The response to prophecy was to shape, direct and prepare in line with what God had said.
1- Agabus was known as a Prophet. This is presumably as his life showed godly character, his ministry was proved to be genuine over a period of time and his doctrine commended him as one approved of God.
2- The Prophetic worked in team. Agabus came to Jerusalem with a team of prophets. He was in Caesarea with Phillip who had four daughters with prophetic ministry. Here was not a man who was aloof and isolated Agabus ministered in corporate contexts
3- Room was made for the prophetic in local church life. When ‘they came down’ to Jerusalem it was not viewed by the leaders of the church as a side show but rather as a significant moment of directional input for the church.
4- They adjusted plans, ministries and programs in response to what God had said. The entire ‘ministry to the poor’ agenda in the Jerusalem church was fashioned and shaped by the prophetic. With so much need around us in our communities how do we know where to target our enegies unless God shows us.
God intends us to be a people who follow the cloud not follow the crowd. I want to ensure genuine prophetic ministry has access to me and the churches I work with. I wonder how anyone leads in a local church without prophetic input. How can we possibly know what God wants us to put our energies into as a local church? What direction do we go in?
John in Revelation said ‘he who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’ each message to the local churches was different. They all had strengths and weaknesses. God said different things to each church. Indeed every genuine planting of the Lord has a unique fingerprint of God upon it. Our role as leaders is to find out and express Jesus desires for the local church we are part of.
In our leadership team and church we make room for prophetic ministry to come in shaping programs and individual ministries in the church. We seek to weigh and discern God’s voice then once we feel we have heard the heart of God we do some practical things
1- Prayer meeting agendas are shaped by the prophetic
2- Leadership goals and objectives are shaped according to the prophetic. For example if God has spoken about us having a new building we need to go and look for one.
3- Staff and budgets are apportioned in line with the things God has said
4- We cast vision in the church to ensure everyone is serving the same vision.
5- We feed back to prophetic ministry to both encourage them and also to keep our ears open to fresh instruction from God.
If apostles and prophets work together, the most powerful and strategically vibrant leadership combination is possible. Prophets to show the way and Apostles to build like wise master builders. That is how in reading the New Testament it seems God intends the local church to function.
Genuine prophecies should not get filed under P in someone’s filing cabinet. They were living working documents to build to.
Acts 11:28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)
These occasions in Acts show God using prophetic ministry to shape and prepare individuals and churches for what he intended to do in and through them. The response to prophecy was to shape, direct and prepare in line with what God had said.
1- Agabus was known as a Prophet. This is presumably as his life showed godly character, his ministry was proved to be genuine over a period of time and his doctrine commended him as one approved of God.
2- The Prophetic worked in team. Agabus came to Jerusalem with a team of prophets. He was in Caesarea with Phillip who had four daughters with prophetic ministry. Here was not a man who was aloof and isolated Agabus ministered in corporate contexts
3- Room was made for the prophetic in local church life. When ‘they came down’ to Jerusalem it was not viewed by the leaders of the church as a side show but rather as a significant moment of directional input for the church.
4- They adjusted plans, ministries and programs in response to what God had said. The entire ‘ministry to the poor’ agenda in the Jerusalem church was fashioned and shaped by the prophetic. With so much need around us in our communities how do we know where to target our enegies unless God shows us.
God intends us to be a people who follow the cloud not follow the crowd. I want to ensure genuine prophetic ministry has access to me and the churches I work with. I wonder how anyone leads in a local church without prophetic input. How can we possibly know what God wants us to put our energies into as a local church? What direction do we go in?
John in Revelation said ‘he who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’ each message to the local churches was different. They all had strengths and weaknesses. God said different things to each church. Indeed every genuine planting of the Lord has a unique fingerprint of God upon it. Our role as leaders is to find out and express Jesus desires for the local church we are part of.
In our leadership team and church we make room for prophetic ministry to come in shaping programs and individual ministries in the church. We seek to weigh and discern God’s voice then once we feel we have heard the heart of God we do some practical things
1- Prayer meeting agendas are shaped by the prophetic
2- Leadership goals and objectives are shaped according to the prophetic. For example if God has spoken about us having a new building we need to go and look for one.
3- Staff and budgets are apportioned in line with the things God has said
4- We cast vision in the church to ensure everyone is serving the same vision.
5- We feed back to prophetic ministry to both encourage them and also to keep our ears open to fresh instruction from God.
If apostles and prophets work together, the most powerful and strategically vibrant leadership combination is possible. Prophets to show the way and Apostles to build like wise master builders. That is how in reading the New Testament it seems God intends the local church to function.
Genuine prophecies should not get filed under P in someone’s filing cabinet. They were living working documents to build to.
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