Hythe Road  Willesborough  Ashford  Kent  TN24 0QR  UK

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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

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.


Open to God was led by Ian Johnson

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We sang worship songs to God.

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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. 

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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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We reflected on Psalm 40
using words and images, and the song "40" by U2. 

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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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



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.


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)


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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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."

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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."

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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."

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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

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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.

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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 ...

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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.

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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

  


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.


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. 

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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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 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.

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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