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Open to God
Below
you will find details of some of the
encouragements we have
received previously while
meeting in openness to God. |
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"Praise
is Rising ..."
was
held
on Saturday 22nd
November 2008
at 7:30pm
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We
have
much
to
praise
God
for
- as
individuals
and
as a
church
community.
We
celebrate
all
that
he
is
doing
within
us
and
among
us.
We
rejoice
together
in
our
God.
We
praise
him
too
when
things
weigh
us
down,
when
the
path
is
unclear
and
his
ways
are
hard
to
fathom.
We
praise
him
through
the
trials
of
life,
as
well
as
the
joys.
When
praise
for
some
is
at
its
hardest,
we
support
each
other
with
the
love
of
God
as
we
come
into
his
presence
together.
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Open
to
God was
led by Ian
Johnson
-
oOo -
We
sang worship
songs to God.
-
oOo -
We
watched
the
Rob
Bell
video
"Rain"
(see
it
again
here)
It
reminded
us
that
no
matter
what
situation
we
are
going
through
in
life,
we
have
reason
to
praise
because
God
is
in
it
with
us
and
he
will
carry
us
through.
-
oOo -
We
took
the
opportunity
to
encourage
each
other
by
sharing
our
experiences
of
offering
praise
to
God
no
matter
what
the
circumstances.
We
ministered to
each other as
the body of
Christ.
It
was a special
time.
Through
Jesus,
therefore, let
us continually
offer to God a
sacrifice of
praise — the
fruit of lips
that confess his
name. (Hebrews
13:15)
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oOo -
We
reflected on
Psalm 40
using words and
images, and the
song
"40"
by U2.
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I
waited patiently
for the Lord
He inclined and
heard my cry
He lifted me out
of the pit
Out of the miry
clay
I will sing,
sing a new song
How long? How
long?
How long to sing
this song?
You
set my feet upon
a rock
You made my
footsteps firm
Many will see
Many will see
and hear
I
will sing, sing
a new song
How long? How
long?
How long to sing
this song?
(see
the song
performed
here)
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oOo -
We
closed with the
worship song
"Blessed be
your name"
by Matt Redman.
The words
express the
theme of the
evening so well:
Blessed
be your name
In the land that
is plentiful
Where the
streams of
abundance flow
Blessed be your
name
Blessed
be your name
When I'm found
in the desert
place
Though I walk
through the
wilderness
Blessed be your
name
Every
blessing you
pour out,
I'll turn back
to praise
When the
darkness closes
in, Lord
Still I will
say...
Blessed be the
name of the Lord
Blessed be your
name
Blessed be the
name of the Lord
Blessed be your
glorious name
Blessed
be your name
When the sun's
shining down on
me
When the world's
all as it should
be
Blessed be your
name
Blessed
be your name
On the road
marked with
suffering
Though there's
pain in the
offering
Blessed be your
name
Every
blessing you
pour out,
I'll turn back
to praise
When the
darkness closes
in, Lord
Still I will
say...
Blessed be the
name of the Lord
Blessed be your
name
Blessed be the
name of the Lord
Blessed be your
glorious name
You
give and take
away
You give and
take away
My heart will
choose to say
Lord, blessed be
your name
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"Forever
faithful ..."
was
held
on Sunday 22nd
June 2008
at
7:00pm
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God's
blessings
are
new
every
morning.
He
is
at
work
for
our
good
every
single
day
-
without
fail.
Great
is
his
faithfulness!
We
came
together
to
reflect
on
the
faithfulness
of
our
Father
God.
We
brought
our
worship
to
him
for
his
unending
love
and
care
in
our
lives.
We
encouraged
each
other
with
the
ways
he
has
showed
his
faithfulness
in
the
past,
and
our
ability
to
rest
and
trust
in
our faithful
God
for
every
future
situation
of
life
-
high
or
low,
good
or
bad,
calm
or
storm.
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Praise
the LORD, all
you nations;
extol him, all
you peoples.
For great is his
love towards us,
and the
faithfulness of
the LORD endures
for ever.
Praise the LORD.
(Psalm 117)
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Open
to
God was
led
by
Jan
Haywood
We
began with a
time of quiet
reflection. We
were reminded of
the faithfulness
of God through
Scripture
verses, music
and images:
I
will sing of the
tender mercies
of the Lord
forever! Your
unfailing love
will last
forever. Your
faithfulness is
as enduring as
the heavens.
Psalm 89:1
It
is good to give
thanks to the
Lord, to sing
praises to the
Most High. It is
good to proclaim
your unfailing
love in the
morning, your
faithfulness in
the evening.
Psalm 92:1
For
he loves us with
unfailing love;
the faithfulness
of the Lord
endures forever.
Psalm 117:2
Give
thanks to the
Lord for he is
good! His
faithful love
endures forever.
Psalm 107:1
The
Lord is faithful
in all he says;
he is gracious
in all he does.
Psalm 145:13
Come
let us worship
and bow down.
Let us kneel
before the Lord
our Maker. We
are the people
he watches over,
the sheep under
his care. Psalm
95:6
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oOo -
We
spent time in
prayer, thanking
God for his
faithfulness:
"...
we remember your
tender mercies O
God. You are
strong and
faithful, but
also
tender."
"...
you give us
strength for
today, and
bright hope for
tomorrow. You
give us pardon
for sin and a
peace that
endures. You
remain faithful
even when we are
unfaithful."
"...
each one has a
testimony to
your
faithfulness.
You are the
forever faithful
God."
"...
where would we
be if not for
your
faithfulness?
You give us
daily mercies
when we
transgress."
"...
you lift us up
when we fall
down. You hold
us in your
arms."
"...
you will never
disappoint us -
all through life
and for the rest
of life."
"...
we can't earn
your
faithfulness.
Nothing we can
say or do will
stop it."
"...
Father God,
Daddy, we run
into your
welcoming
presence."
-
oOo -
Libby
shared a
message from
God ...
"I
feel God is
saying we must
stop interfering
with what he is
trying to do.
Take the step
beyond and work
in the
faithfulness of
God. We must
stop carrying
the burdens of
life ourselves -
we need to be
hands off,
letting go and
letting God work
out his will."
-
oOo -
Mavis
shared some
thoughts
with us ...
"Over
30 years ago, we
knew a family
with a young son
who didn't like
school. I used
to take him
along with my
own girls to
school - but he
always needed
stories or
sweets to get
him there. And
even after
getting there,
he would be
playing truant
before I got
home.
Sometimes
we hold God's
hand; sometimes
we kick and
scream. Remember
God's side -
it's more
pleasant for him
if we hold his
hand and trust
than if he has
to drag us
kicking and
screaming all
the way
through."
-
oOo -
God's
word
was brought
to
us
by
Mike
Haywood
from
Lamentations 3:
1-24
"Hope in
the Lord's
Faithfulness"
Mike
reminded us of
the faithfulness
of God in the
most desperate
of situations.
We often want
God to be
faithful by
lifting us out,
rather than by
bringing us
through.
But
whichever way he
chooses, we know
his faithfulness
will never fail
-
he affirms it to
us in so many
different ways
...
Listen
to Mike's
message
here
-
oOo -
We
sang
together ...
The
steadfast
love of the
Lord never
ceases;
His mercies
never come
to an end.
They are new
every
morning, new
every
morning;
Great is
your
faithfulness
O Lord,
Great is
your
faithfulness.
-
oOo -
Ron
reminded us
of the words
of a hymn ...
O
Love that
wilt not let
me go ...
O
Light that
followest
all my way
...
O
Joy that
seekest me
through pain
...
O
Cross that
liftest up
my head ...
-
oOo -
Jill
shared the
words of a
song she had
received ...
Faithful
Lord
You
are
faithful,
You are true
That is why
O Lord, I
love You.
Your
promises
they are
true,
Each new day
is a gift
from You.
I
will worship
You all my
life,
In the
morning, at
noon and
night.
As
I lift my
voice to
sing Your
praise
Your grace
supplies my
every need.
-
oOo -
Rhona
brought us a
challenge ...
We
have been
encouraged with
the faithfulness
of God - but are
we faithful to
him?
He wants our
full commitment
- we should not
hold back.
Sometimes it can
be as if we are
just playing at
church.
We must put God
first and be
faithful to him
as he is
faithful to
us.
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"A
passion for His
name ..."
was
held
on Sunday 11th
May 2008
at
7:00pm
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We came together
as a church
community on
Pentecost Sunday
in openness to
God
We
were
reminded
that as
the Holy
Spirit
works
within us
and among
us, he stirs
up a
passion in
our hearts
to worship
God.
We came to
pour out
our praise
and
adoration
to
him.
We
were
reminded
too that
the
overflow
of this
passion has
an impact on
our
everyday
lives in the
world
around us.
As we are
equipped
and
empowered by God's
Spirit, we
must not
be content
with
"just
singing"
but must
make a
difference
in his
name.
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Open
to God
was
led by Ian Johnson
He opened our
worship with
words from Psalm
34 in The
Message version:
I
bless God
every chance
I
get; my
lungs expand
with his
praise ...
Open your
mouth and
taste, open
your eyes
and see -
how good God
is. Blessed
are you who
run to him.
Worship God
if you want
the best;
worship
opens doors
to all his
goodness.
-
oOo -
Carol
read a song
she had
received,
"You
are the
apple of my
eye"
...
You
are the
apple of my
eye
You are my
treasured
possession
I chose you
You are my
child.
I
love you
I care for
you
I delight in
you
Do
not be
afraid
Come walk
with me
I will take
your hand
I will help
you stand
You are my
child
And you are
mine.
So
be confident
Trust in Me
Step out
with me
For you are
my child.
-
oOo -
God's
word was brought to
us by Chris Cleasby
He
shared a picture
of a mighty river
flowing through
the building -
and the same
mighty river
flowing through
a desert, with
its banks
brimming with
greenery,
budding with new
life.
Chris
then challenged us
from Ephesians
5: 18-21 about
experiencing
more of the
power of God's
Spirit being
poured out in
our everyday
lives. Listen to
Chris's message
here
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oOo -
Chris
reminded us that
God meets us
where we are -
he is no further
than a breath
away. He is here
to minister to
us.
-
oOo -
Dee
sang a song she
had received
based on Psalm
23, "Love
that is
forever":
Cradled
in the arms of
my Saviour,
Lord I never
want to go.
I long to stay
in this place
with you
forever,
this is the
place where I
belong,
and I know that
this abiding
love will never
let me go,
Oh Jesus I love
you so.
Chorus:
Love that is
forever,
a love so strong
and sure.
Oh Jesus my only
treasure,
it's you that I
adore.
It's you that I
adore.
I
rest in your
strong arms,
safe from all
the storms,
you gently lead
me to the place,
the water still
and calm.
Your spirit
refreshes me and
restores my
soul,
it's only in
this secret
place, that you
can make me
whole.
Repeat
chorus
Joy
that fills my
heart anew as
you lift me high
above,
the
circumstances of
my life,
I can conquer in
your love,
I can conquer in
your love.
So
what shall I say
of this? Let my
heart respond,
for surely I can
say of you,
you never left
me, never
forsake me,
never let me go.
Repeat
chorus
Chris
affirmed to Dee
that the windows
of heaven were
open above her -
and it is the
same for us all.
-
oOo -
Annet
reminded us from
Acts 1:8 that
God not only
blesses us with
his power
through the Holy
Spirit, but also
wants us to be
active as his
witnesses. Jesus
said:
Let
your light shine
before men, that
they may see
your good deeds
and praise your
Father in
heaven. (Matthew
5:16)
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oOo -
Dorothy
gave testimony
of a vision she
received over
thirty years
ago. A picture
of herself
meeting a
shepherd in a
white gown, with
sheep following.
He said to her,
"Feed my
sheep".
When she shared
this vision with
others at the
time, they
thought she was
mentally
unbalanced - but
she had never
been more sane.
She has received
the love of
Jesus here for
over 30 years,
and during that
time met her
husband. He too
had a vision, of
Dorothy going
through a dark
tunnel and God
linking them
together -
because they
needed each
other.
Terry
affirmed
Dorothy's
testimony with a
reminder from 1
Corinthians 2:14
that:
The
man without the
Spirit does not
accept the
things that come
from the Spirit
of God, for they
are foolishness
to him, and he
cannot
understand them,
because they are
spiritually
discerned.
-
oOo -
Sara
brought us a
word from God
...
Everyone
has been given
gifts by God.
Often we don't
take hold of
these gifts
because we don't
believe we have
got them. Our
walk is a walk
of faith. God
wants to release
us into the
things he has
already given
us. Be open to
God! Say you
want to receive
the fullness of
the inheritance
you have been
given in Jesus.
We don't want to
look back on
life with
regret, having
not grasped and
responded t the fullness
of all that God
has to
offer.
Satan makes us
disbelievers; he
causes us to
doubt we can be
of any value. We
are all very
precious to God,
created as
individuals and
beautiful in his
sight.
-
oOo -
Arshad
continued with
an encouragement
on the same
theme...
God
encourages us to
go beyond. We
must each be
passionate about
something -
let's bring that
to him, allow
him to work in
us. Spend time
bringing
something you
recognise to the
Lord - but don't
be light about
it, there may be
things you need
to drop. We have
to be prepared
to make some
sacrifices, to
pay the price -
it is not a
small thing.
-
oOo -
Jill
brought some
words she had
received from
God ...
The
Lord says: My
people you are a
garden fountain,
a well of
flowing water
streaming down
from Lebanon
(Song of Songs
4:15). I the
Lord, watch over
you, I water you
continually. I
guard you day
and night so
that no-one may
harm you (Isaiah
27:3). If you
spend yourselves
on behalf of the
hungry
(physically,
spiritually and
emotionally) and
satisfy the
needs of the
oppressed, then
your light will
rise in the
darkness and
your night will
become like the
noonday. I will
guide you my
people always; I
will satisfy
your needs in a
sun-scorched
land and will
strengthen your
frame. You will
be like a
well-watered
garden, like
springs whose
waters never
fail. (Isaiah 58
:10-11). You my
people will be
like a
well-watered
garden and
sorrow no more.
You will dance
and be glad, I
will turn your
mourning into
gladness, I will
give you comfort
and joy instead
of sorrow. I
will satisfy you
with abundance
and you will be
filled with my
bounty (Jeremiah
31:12b-14). You
my people who
believe in me,
cleave to and
trust in and
rely on me- from
your innermost
being shall flow
continuously
springs and
rivers of living
waters - for
when you are
thirsty come to
me and drink and
I will satisfy
your thirst -
you will never
again be thirsty
(John 7:38). I
am the Lord your
God and I will
do what I have
promised.
And
also a song,
"Refresh us
anew" ...
Streams
of living water
Pour down on us
Streams of
living water
Pour down on us
Renew,
revive us again
Restore, sustain
us once more
Come
down Holy Spirit
Refresh us anew
Come down Holy
Spirit
Refresh us anew
Renew,
revive us again
Restore, sustain
us once more
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oOo -
Mavis
called us to
take the
opportunity to
bring our
passion before
God, as Arshad
had suggested.
We spent some
time in quiet
reflection and
prayer.
-
oOo -
Ian
closed our time
together with a
call to also be
passionate about
making a
difference in
the world for
God. To not be
content with
"just
singing",
but to be active
in his name.
We watched a video
clip set to the
song "God of
Justice" by
Tim Hughes.
See it again
here
-
oOo -
After
Open
to God
Jill received this song,
"God of
Compassion"
...
O
my Lord, fill me
with compassion
for the hurting,
the suffering,
the lost peoples
of the earth.
Your heart is
breaking, as
many are dying,
not knowing you
as Saviour and
Lord.
May
I live a life of
passion,
serving you and
you alone.
Not letting
anything else
take centre,
For it's you O
Lord that I
adore.
How
can I sit in my
comfort
and not reach
out to those in
need?
O God, I give
you all I am,
and ask that you
will use this
weak child.
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"Confident
in Him ..."
was
held
on Sunday
30th March 2008
at
7:00pm
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We came together
to worship a
faithful and
gracious God.
He is our rock,
our fortress.
We
were reminded
that we move forward
with confidence
in him, knowing
that in
faithfulness he
wants to build
us up and move
us on. Sometimes
in our spiritual
lives we hold
back from
launching out
for him - but
God wants to
bless us with
his gifts and
use us in his
service. He will
never push us
beyond what he
knows we can
cope with.
We
acknowledged
through song,
prayer and
scripture what a
faithful and
gracious God we
have, and
received encouragement
from him as we
came in openness
and trust.
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Open
to God was
led by Libby Matthews
God's
word was brought to
us by Terry Golding
Terry spoke about
Moses, who made
excuses to avoid
serving God, and
Joshua &
Caleb, who were
utterly
convinced they
could overcome
anything in
God's power.
Where are we
between these
two extremes?
Do we identify
and then
confidently use
the gifts God
has given us?
Listen
to Libby's
opening thoughts
and Terry's
ministry from
God's word
here
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oOo -
Jenny
described a picture
...
Of
meeting with God as
children, coming out of our
adult body. He is meeting
with us.
-
oOo -
Alicia
encouraged us
...
Our
fear will diminish. We must
know who we are in Christ.
-
oOo -
Jenny
encouraged us ...
We
have peace, not human, not
of our understanding.
We have hope in him. He is
our hope, we can depend on
him.
He has the missing jigsaw
piece.
-
oOo -
Dee
read Psalm 100 ...
Shout
for joy to the
LORD, all the
earth.
Worship the LORD
with gladness;
come before him
with joyful
songs.
Know that the
LORD is God. It
is he who made
us, and we are
his;
we are his
people, the
sheep of his
pasture.
Enter his gates
with
thanksgiving and
his courts with
praise;
give thanks to
him and praise
his name.
For the LORD is
good and his
love endures for
ever;
his faithfulness
continues
through all
generations.
-
oOo -
Peter
read from Psalm 32 ...
Blessed
is he whose
transgressions
are forgiven,
whose sins are
covered.
Blessed is the
man whose sin
the LORD does
not count
against him
and in whose
spirit is no
deceit.
Therefore let
everyone who is
godly pray to
you while you
may be found;
surely when the
mighty waters
rise, they will
not reach him.
You are my
hiding-place;
you will protect
me from trouble
and surround me
with songs of
deliverance.
I
will instruct
you and teach
you in the way
you should go;
I will counsel
you and watch
over you.
Do not be like
the horse or the
mule, which have
no understanding
but must be
controlled by
bit and bridle
or they will not
come to you.
Many are the
woes of the
wicked,
but the LORD's
unfailing love
surrounds the
man who trusts
in him.
-
oOo -
Dee
encouraged us ...
Praise
God for the
spirit he has
put into his
people. It is
not a spirit of
timidity.
-
oOo -
Doreen
read from 1 John ...
And
now, dear children,
continue in him, so
that when he appears
we may be
confident and
unashamed before him
at his coming.
How
great is the love the
Father has lavished on
us,
that we should be
called children of
God!
And that is what we
are! The reason the
world does not know us
is that it did not
know him.
Dear friends, now we
are children of God,
and what we will
be has not yet been
made known.
But we know that when
he appears, we shall
be like him, for we
shall see him as he
is.
-
oOo -
Jill
received this prayer
and song from God
before we met ...
Dear
Father God, our
confidence is
not in
ourselves, what
we can do, but
who we are in
Christ.
Your incredible
grace and mercy
that you
lavished upon us
- so that we who
believe might be
called children
of God. Not born
of human descent
but by the
Spirit of God.
Thank you Father
that we have
been grafted
into the Vine
and if we abide
in Jesus we will
bear much fruit.
O Lord, we want
to let others
know the
confidence we
have in the gift
of eternal life
and that your
promises are
true. We will be
in your presence
forevermore. We
long Lord for
that day - but
for now, may we
live in the
knowledge that
you will work in
and through us -
as we surrender
our lives day by
day, moment by
moment to you -
so that we may
hear you
speaking to us.
Thank you for
the desire you
place in our
hearts to seek
you and as we
find you Lord,
please change us
and transform us
into the people
you want us to
be. Unite us as
the body of
Christ, so that
all we do may be
pleasing to you
and as we
delight in you,
so your delight
is in us - how
amazing and
wonderful is
your love O Lord
God, thank you.
Amen.
Your
Promise
You have sealed
me with the
promise,
The promise of
new life
The Holy Spirit,
my deposit,
Guaranteeing the
life to come,
May I serve you
dear Lord
always,
Because of what
you've done
Through the
death of my
Saviour,
Lord Jesus your
only Son
Hallelujah,
my confidence is
in you Lord
Not in myself,
not in myself
Hallelujah, my
confidence is in
you Lord
Not in myself
oOo -
Carol
received this song from God
before we met ...
We
have confidence
in you
We have
confidence in
you
Confidence in
you
We have
confidence in
you
You
are faithful
Your promises
are true
You are worthy
We have
confidence in
you
You
promise to
remain with us
You draw near to
us
As we draw near
to you
We have
confidence in
you
You
lead and guide
us
You gives us
eternal life
We will live for
ever with you
We have
confidence in
you
We
have confidence
in you
We have
confidence in
you
Confidence in
you
We have
confidence in
you
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"Hearing
God speak ..."
was
held
on Sunday 17th
February 2008 at
7:00pm
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As we met, we were
reminded that we stand
in the presence of a
holy God. We come with
reverence and awe, and
in the fear of the
Lord. We worshipped
our holy God in song.
We were reminded too
that our great and
holy God chooses to
speak to us, sometimes
in unexpected ways.
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Open
to God was
led by Annet Lukkien
God's
word from Exodus
3:1-14 was brought to
us by Chris Lukkien.
Chris spoke about the
misconceptions and
preconditions of
hearing God speak.
He reminded us that we
get to know God from
our own experience of
him,
and that we must
take steps in faith as
we hear from him.
Listen to Chris's
message
here
-
oOo -
Alicia
reminded us of 1 John
1:9 ...
If
we confess our sins,
he is faithful and
just and will forgive
us our sins
and purify us from all
unrighteousness.
We
are on holy ground - we need
to understand what that
really means.
If we need to confess
anything, we must do it.
-
oOo -
Dee
brought this word from
God ...
I
love you with a never
ending love that is
faithful and true.
I have called you by
name and you all
belong to me.
Come closer into my
presence, come closer. I
have called you all
for such a time as
this.
I have good plans,
plans to build you up
not to tear you down.
Plans to give you hope
and a future.
Trust my word, for it
is a light unto your
path and a lamp unto
your feet.
I will strengthen and
uphold you by my
victorious right hand
of righteousness and
justice.
Do not fear, for I am
with you.
Isaiah
42:6; Psalm 119:105;
Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah
41:10
-
oOo -
Annet
described a picture
...
A
drop of water falling, and
the outward ripple effect
that follows.
When we start to listen to
God speak, it has its effect
on our whole life,
and overflows into our
church life.
[At
the end of the evening,
another person shared with
Annet a similar picture they
had
received -
of water running over rocks
and after that the stream
became calm.]
-
oOo -
Jenny
described a picture
...
Of
Jesus on the cross, and us
on the cross with him, his
arms outstretched, lifting
us up.
Another picture was within
the church building ...
we had fallen on the ground,
but he was lifting us up.
The room was filled with
birds.
It's not about our position.
We can be lifted up and
strengthened by him.
So
do not fear, for I am
with you; do not be
dismayed, for I am
your God.
I will strengthen you
and help you; I will
uphold you with my
righteous right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10)
-
oOo -
Pauline
encouraged us ...
There
is no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus.
We are sons and daughters of
the living God.
-
oOo -
Jill shared with
us this message from God:
Have
no other gods before me. I
am the Lord God
Almighty - who was and
who is and who is to
come.
I have made you, you
belong to me. I am a
jealous God and I will
not give my glory to
another.
Listen my children to
my voice. As you
gather together and
come in my name
- worship me with all
your heart, soul,
mind, body and
strength.
Do not be deceived by
this world and all it
has to offer.
It is temporary, but
your salvation is
eternal and will last
forever.
Live in the light of
this and by the power
of the Holy Spirit
- this is my gift to
you, free and
available for all.
Take it - receive from
me because I gave my
Son to die for each of
you
so that I can live in
relationship with you,
now and forevermore.
-
oOo -
Jenny encouraged us ...
Truth
is so important, we must be
honest.
God works with truth. His
light is in our heart. Are
we pure?
-
oOo -
Nick
shared with us this
message from God
...
Some
of you are afraid, and you
don't need to be afraid of me. I
am your Father.
I know you are not perfect but I
will build you up.
Trust my love for you.
To
others, you don't fear me as
you should. You too readily
come into my presence.
I am a jealous God. I am a
consuming fire.
Put
aside those things that get
in the way. Be holy, for I am holy.
-
oOo -
Doreen
brought some
thoughts from Exodus 3
...
God
has brought this passage to
me several times recently,
and here it is again this
evening.
I feel I must share with you
the things God has been
saying to me.
Like
Moses, so often we make
excuses to God when we hear
from him.
We need to listen to his
promises; he will give us
his power and his presence.
We
should measure the size of
our task against the size of
our God.
God has a really big plan
for this church. We should
see him for the great God
that he is,
not see him as if looking
through the wrong end of a
telescope.
We
should measure the
task against his size,
not our idea of his
might and power.
We should see God as
our great and mighty
God
and know that he will
equip us and empower
us for the tasks he
sets before us.
-
oOo -
Jenny
said that God had put
Nehemiah on her mind.
She asked, "What
did he do?"
From:
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/61936
Nehemiah
was cupbearer to the
Persian king
Artaxerxes and, later,
governor of the Jews,
rebuilder of
Jerusalem's wall, and
writer of the Bible
book bearing his name.
He
was a man of feelings
and of action.
Nehemiah was appointed
governor of Jerusalem,
but before that, he
was a high-ranking
official in the
Persian court in the
city of Shushan. Yet,
his life of comfort
did not diminish his
concern for the
welfare of his Jewish
brothers in faraway
Jerusalem. In fact,
the first thing he did
when a delegation of
Jews from Jerusalem
visited Shushan was to
ask them about the
Jews, those who had
escaped, who had been
left over of the
captivity, and also
about Jerusalem.
When the visitors
responded that the
people of Jerusalem
were in a very bad
plight and that the
city wall was broken
down, Nehemiah sat
down and began to weep
and mourn for days.
After that he
expressed his feelings
of sadness in a
heartfelt prayer to
God. Why was Nehemiah
so sad? Because
Jerusalem was the
centre of worship of
God on earth, and it
had been neglected.
Moreover, the city's
broken-down condition
was a reflection of
the poor spiritual
state of its
inhabitants.
Nehemiah's concern for
Jerusalem and his
compassion for the
Jews living there
moved him to give of
himself. As soon as
the Persian king
allowed him to take a
leave of absence from
his duties, Nehemiah
began to plan the long
trip to Jerusalem. He
wanted to give his
strength, time, and
skills in support of
the needed repair
work. Within a few
days of his arrival,
he already had a plan
in place for the
repair of Jerusalem's
entire wall. Nehemiah
divided the huge task
of repairing the wall
among many families,
all of whom worked
side by side. The
result? With so many
workers including
parents accompanied by
their children giving
their time and energy,
a seemingly
overwhelming task
became manageable.
Within two
action-packed months,
the entire wall was
repaired! Nehemiah
wrote that even those
who opposed the
repair work were
forced to acknowledge it was from
God that this work had
been done.
-
oOo -
Annet
concluded the evening
with these verses ...
Test
everything. Hold on to
the good. (1
Thessalonians 5:21)
For
we know in part and we
prophesy in part ...
(1 Corinthians 13:9)
We
have heard many things
this evening,
and the things we have
heard may be only part
of what God is saying
overall.
We should consider
what we have heard,
and continue to be
open to him and hear
him speak.
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"Approaching the Father ..."
was
held
on Sunday 13th January 2008
at 7:00pm
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We met to remind
ourselves of the glory,
majesty and power
of God our
Father.
We drew near to him
through the access made
possible
by our Lord Jesus
Christ.
We thanked him for the
sacrificial death of his Son
on the cross, and the
forgiveness and wholeness it
brings.
We responded to all
that the Father said to us
as we
approached him in
reverence, humility and
openness. |
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Open to God was
led by Jan Haywood
Nick
Horn brought God's word to
us, with a challenge to
remember God as Father, to
develop our relationship
with him and to be more
intimate in our
communication with
him.
Listen to Nick's message
here
We shared communion
together.
-
oOo -
Mike
brought some thoughts from 2
Samuel 9, verses 1-8
Mephibosheth was
crippled in both his feet.
David showed him kindness
because of his father
Jonathan. He was to eat at
the king's table every day.
Mephibosheth bowed down
before David and said,
"What is your servant,
that you should notice a
dead dog like me?"
As we approach our Father we
are crippled by sin before
him, yet he shows us
kindness for Jesus' sake. He
invites us to his banqueting
table and waves the banner
of love over us.
We bow down before him and
say, "Why do you notice
a dead dog like me?"
but he just loves us, and
sees only Christ in us.
-
oOo -
Jill
brought this reading to us:
But
now, this is what the Lord
says - He who created you ,
O Jacob, He who formed you,
O Israel:
Fear not, for I have
redeemed you; I have
summoned you by name; You
are mine.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your
Saviour,
You are precious and
honoured in my sight.
Everyone who is called by my
name ,
Whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made, are
my witnesses
And my servant whom I have
chosen, so that you may know
and believe me
and
understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after
me.
I, even I, am the Lord, and
apart from me there is no
saviour.
I have revealed and saved
and proclaimed. I, and not
some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,
declares the Lord, that I am
God.
Yes, and from ancient days I
am he. No-one can deliver
out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse
it?
Forget the former things; do
not dwell on the past. See, I
am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you
not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in
the wasteland.
The wild animals honour me,
the jackals and the owls, because I
provide water in
the desert
And streams in the
wasteland, to give drink to
my people, my chosen,
The people I formed for
myself that they may
proclaim my praise.
[Isaiah 43:
1,3a,4a,7,10-13,18-21]
Jill,
Carol & Jane then sang
these words:
Forget
the former things
Do
not dwell on the past
See I
am doing a new thing
Forget
the former things
Do
not dwell on the past
See I
am doing a new thing
For I
have redeemed you and
called you by name
You
are precious and honoured in
my sight.
For I have redeemed you and
called you by name
You
are precious and honoured in
my sight.
-
oOo -
Hannah
brought these song words to
us:
Who
am I, that the Lord of all
the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright
and Morning Star
Would choose to light the
way
For my ever wandering heart
Not
because of who I am
But because of what You've
done
Not because of what I've
done
But because of who You are
[from
"Who
am I?" by Casting
Crowns]
-
oOo -
Rhona
reminded us not to be
afraid, not to fear. She
felt the Lord wanted to heal
someone there that evening.
She encouraged us to bow
down before God and confess
him as Lord.
Jenny
was led in her thoughts to
Ephesians 4, and brought us
the challenge that we must
love one another and be
there for each other.
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"There must be more ..."
was
held
on Saturday 10th November
2007 at 7:30pm
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We met with a
longing to receive more from
God. We rejoiced in all that
God has given to us through
Christ and by his Spirit. We
praised and worshipped our
great God for every way in
which he has blessed us and
encouraged us - and yet the
cry of our heart was to know
even more of his power.
We were
encouraged through God's
word to want more, to
receive more, and to
experience more in our
everyday lives of all that
God has for us in Christ |
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"As the deer pants for
streams of water, so my soul
pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for
the living God." (Psalm 42:
1-2)
Open to God was led
by Ian Johnson
Phillip O'Connor brought us
powerful and challenging
teaching from God's word.
Listen to Phillip's message
here
Jill shared with
us this message from God:
Come bow before my throne
and I will lift you up,
Humble yourself before me
and give me your all.
I am GOD AND THERE IS NO
OTHER BESIDES ME
I am doing a new thing.
This is a season of
change,
the year of the Lord’s
favour.
I will open the
floodgates of heaven and
rain down upon you.
Be refreshed and renewed
by my showers of blessing,
ready for
all I have
prepared for you my people.
Do not fear or falter for
I will strengthen you
I will shower you with
blessings
Stay in my presence,
trust in me.
Speak my word in your
homes, in the streets, towns
and cities.
You shall be anointed and
the words that are planted
will not be uprooted
but will give life and
hope to those who are lost,
who wander in darkness
without the light of my Son.
Shine as lights into this
dark world,
for you have been chosen
for such a time as this
so that my name may be
glorified in all the earth. |
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