More Revelation

You know what it's like when God wants to get your attention, He has a way of grabbing our interest. This morning we watched a John Arnott DVD, the Cinderella Story during our fellowship time; and this afternoon I listened to a pod cast from Bethel Church in Redding where Bill Johnson was speaking. From both men of God the important truth came to me that Jesus displayed the Father's heart in everything He did. From the woman at the well, to Zacheus up the tree, whenever Jesus interacted with someone He displayed the Father's character in that situation. I hunger to know the Father so I will look through spiritual eyes to see what He is like as I read about Jesus in the gospels. God displays His goodness through Jesus and encourages us to join Him in intimacy.

Encouragement

A vital key to stepping into revival, and maintaining the presence of God is; encouragement. It is the impartation of God's heart into a person, so neglected and so powerful. I had the privilege today of being with Simon Thomas a teacher from Peckham who was involved with Street pastors from the very beginning, who was delivering a training day for local street pastors in Bridgend. Not only is Simon a very intelligent, and very street wise tutor; he is a really decent and likeable bloke. Today for me was just a time of encouragement where Dad was able to confirm for me that I was indeed hearing from Him, and that I was on the right track. Encouragement is powerful, but very important. Lets determine to encourage someone today!

Reality Check

I was reminded, well more of a caution, from Daddy this morning not to fall back into the habit of focussing on 'ministry'. My top priority is to focus on our relationship, nothing is to take precedence over this. It's the Father's delight to enjoy His relationship with His children. We walk and talk together  because the Godhead lives in me, and I am to become more childlike in my relationship with Abba. Children live for the moment secure in the belief that their Dad will look after them. They so enjoy being with their Dad, and just to be together is fun in its self. I had a choice whilst shopping in M&S this morning. Whether I was going to get a little irritable or whether to enjoy my trip. So I connected with the Bee Gees track coming over the tannoy and danced around the store with my trolley. It felt really childlike.

Practical

We can hear from the Spirit of God as He lives in born again believers. God has given us a mind and an imagination, and if we give them over to Him and desire to see and hear He will train us. The Spirit of God told Jesus the woman at the well had had five husbands and the man she was living with was not her husband. Paul describes that as a word of knowledge in the epistle to the Corinthian church. The information came to the mind of Jesus from the Spirit. Visions, pictures, come to our imagination from the Spirit. I have moved in this gifting for years but the penny has just dropped as to the truth that it was the same for Jesus. I am beginning to ask Daddy what He is doing, and what He wants to do, if anything, when I get around folk. He has been encouraging me to ASK.
Yesterday I visited a new cafe in town. When I sat down after placing my order with the waitress, I waited on the Lord and He began to speak to me about the lady in the cafe. I didn't have to share it with her, I was 'practising'; but the process was exactly like the process He taught me as I learnt to give 'words' in a church meeting.  I was so grateful and walking back up to ASDA the Lord spoke to me about S. my greeter buddy who was on duty that day. I was able to share that word with her when I got to the store, she didn't fall down repent, and give her heart to Jesus, I was just a love releaser, and I know she was blessed.

John 5

Jesus tells the people that He only did what He saw the Father doing. Of course the religious in the crowd got offended at Jesus, the truth is they still do. But years ago I saw how Jesus was selfless, and only wanted to do what pleased His Father, and I determined in my heart to live like Him. He saw what the Father was doing, how? He only spoke the rhema word to people that He received from the father, how? The same way we have to. Jesus was a man in relationship with the Holy Spirit and so He was able to receive both visual and verbal communication from the Holy Spirit via His spirit. Because Jesus didn't have a sin nature to hamper Him I believe it was easier for Him to stay in constant union with The Spirit of God, but now we have been born again the pathway to union and communion with the Holy Spirit is now open to us. We need revelation of how to receive visions, and words from God, and practise it in our day to day walk with the Him. Faith and patience are the components to walking as Jesus walked.

Isn't God Sooooo Good?

Sharing the Love of Jesus this is a link to an incredible few hours in Bridgend today. Some time ago God gave me the idea to have  a sign to carry in town. Free healing prayers on the front, and Jesus is coming soon on the back. My mate Jon. and I began to go out last year with the sign and saw incredible moves of God, with healings, salvation, and encouragement to the body of Christ. Today was no exception. We had the chance to pray for a lad that will be in court tomorrow week, a group of 3 lads from a local comp; a spiritualist lady really concerned about her future, and people who wondered what we were doing and were blessed as there was someone witnessing God's love. The girls in the video just showed up, and although it may seem a little frivolous, they were hungry, and open.

Accomplishments?

What about the need to succeed, what about the need to accomplish  things in our lives? I am so thankful for the grace and patience of the Holy Spirit, but Oh! His faithfulness is amazing. Yesterday morning the Lord straightened it out for me. I appreciate that this is all pretty subjective, but I pray it blesses you too. In the natural the link between works and identity is so strong, there is also a lie that tells us that we can only be successful if we achieve good stuff, or 'do something' with our lives. The Holy Spirit caused me to look closely at what Jesus said about His own life. Jesus was approved as a 'person' by Daddy at the river Jordan before Jesus did any miracles. That's to remind me that my acceptance from my Father is unconditional not based on my works or performance. But what about the 'stuff' Jesus did, didn't that rack up a few brownies in God's eyes?
Jesus said that it was the Father that was continually working, that they were the Father's works, and that He did nothing out of His own initiative. So what did Jesus do? He did what the Father was doing. He partnered with the Father. Well I had told God years ago that I wanted to live the same way that Jesus lived. So I can partner with Daddy and do the works that He is doing. Who gets the glory? Jesus does. My reward is to be included, that sorts out my ego based need to be successful, and achieve in life.
How did Jesus know what the father was doing? After 27.5 years I am just getting a handle on this.

Happiness

Have we the right to be happy? Have we the right to be joyful? Can we have pleasure and still be a Christian? It has been written that as human beings we are always motivated to do things that give us the most pleasure. That we are indeed hedonists. Jonathan Edwards the great theologian made a very powerful argument for Christian Hedonism, basically that we as Christians pursue a life based on seeking pleasure, but that our source of pleasure is found in God. In today's new mystic language the best and strongest wine is found in the heart of God. Daddy's liquor cabinet is not only stocked with he finest, but that it is always open and we are invited to drink long and deeply. In the presence of God, is fullness of joy, the Psalmist tell us. At God's right hand there are pleasures for ever more. Who is at the Father's right hand? Jesus; and now we live in Him, and He lives in us. Is there any depression in the bosom of God? Is there any misery in the Kingdom? We owe the world a supernatural experience, and we also owe them a gift of joy.

Validation

Another need planted deep within mankind is the need for validation. We all need to feel important, that we can contribute, and we are special. In the world this need is sought to be fulfilled in our relationships, our parental, and peer group relationships especially. But how many of us, like me, came up empty? Its no wonder because again our need for validation is not found in men but in God. Jesus always shied away from the glory that men wanted to give Him, and walked in the truth that it was His heavenly Father who validated Him, and gave Him glory. I might not have a 'ministry', very much money, poor health, fragile relationships, or no job; but I am loved by God. In Christ I have the Father's validation and approval, it comes to me by grace through faith. The truth is if no one accepts me, it doesn't matter Abba does.

What Truth.

All the desires, and needs, of the human heart are well documented in the secular arena, but they have no answer to the legitimacy of these needs, and where these needs can be met. The christian church has the answers but sometimes denies the fact that these needs are legitimate, yet alone God given; but they are from God. The human being is created in the image of God, and God placed His desires within man. Take one of our deepest needs, the need to be loved. Every person on the planet irrespective of race, gender, or nationality, has a deep deep desire to be loved and accepted. That is true. But did you know that every human being has the desire to love in return. But before we can love each other we have to be awakened to the deep spiritual reality that we are created TO LOVE GOD.

Not Easy to Define

This explosion of the wildfire of the Holy Spirit that is happening in Wales is probably unknown by majority of Christians. But the Sun newspaper, and a TV programme maker wanted to be at Sloshfest in Barry Island last week to see what was occurring. Being right in the centre of unrestrained worship is not only an honour it's exciting, and invigorating. It's a cross between a rave and a trance. Unhindered joy, massive love, oceans of peace and the new wine of Jesus is the atmosphere of heaven. No control, no manipulation, and no religious spirits, the pure freedom of the Fathers delight.
Its too hard to define it, you have to be there to experience this new slam dunk from God. The church is being re-defined. The empire is over, the ship of religion is sinking, and there is no turning back. We were created for ecstasy, and that is what we are experiencing. If you want to be part of the new crew catch up on emerge wales

Just a Reminder

Seeing the covering of about 4 inches of snow on the ground this morning I decided to take a leisurely stroll to the shops to get my daily newspaper. It was so rewarding to be able to talk to nearly everybody who I came in contact with because I suppose they had slowed down to enjoy the seasonal weather. On the way back I called into see P. who lives around the corner from me, and is a very special lady. She enjoyed her 90th. birthday party last October and I visit her every week just to say HI. I've known P. for years and we have grown very fond of each other, but this morning she was genuinely glad to see me.
She had tears in her eyes when I arrived and she was so very happy that I had bothered to take time to pop in and say hello. I guess I don't really appreciate how lonely she is during the day. I just wanted to remind you that every act of kindness you show to someone, Father watches. I have been so blessed as I didn't know how much pleasure I could bring to someone by just turning up.

Good! But is it The Best?

What a complex but wonderful person Jesus is. Many years ago I learnt a principle, and if you are anything like me; we tend to forget them temporarily. But this morning Daddy reminded me of it. The dialogue usually starts with a question from Him.
'Why do you desire a sovereign move of My Spirit.?'  After giving it a moments thought, 'So I can be changed and go out and changed the world.' I replied. Silence follows. 'Good but not the best,' comes the reply. 'What about being changed into the likeness of Jesus to bring Me glory?' That sounds a better idea I thought to myself.

Without going too deeply into the following conversation the bottom line is that I was still looking for ministry (works) to validate who I am, so the ego centric strongholds of wrong thinking must, and will be exposed by the Holy Spirit so He can build the truth into me. He is committed to conforming me into the image of Jesus. Rom. 8:29. So often what I think is good is in Dad's eyes not the BEST

Experiencing Dissatisfaction?

'Dissatisfaction can be the catalyst for change, or the excuse for compromise'. I found these words quietly sink into my heart during my communion with the Holy Spirit this morning. Does God initiate dissatisfaction, or is it just a by produce of a lifestyle that falls below biblical normality? Either way I am experiencing dissatisfaction and it's my choice what I do about it. But for once I am embracing it positively.

VERY INTERESTING

A leading Catholic cardinal has said Europeans only have themselves to blame for allowing Islam to "conquer" the continent. 

Czech Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, the Archbishop of Prague, said 

Muslims were well placed to fill the spiritual void "created as 

Europeans systematically empty the Christian content of their lives".

"Europe will pay dear for having left its spiritual foundations and that this is the last period that will not continue for decades when it may still have a chance to do something about it," he said. "The Muslims definitely have many reasons to be heading here. They also have a religious one – to bring the spiritual values of faith in God to the pagan environment of Europe, to its atheistic style of life.

"Unless the Christians wake up, life may be Islamised and Christianity will not have the strength to imprint its character on the life of people, not to say society."

The 77-year-old cardinal made his remarks in an interview to mark his retirement after spending 19 years as the leader of the Czech Church.

He said he did not blame Muslims for the crisis as Europeans had brought it upon themselves by exchanging their Christian culture for an aggressive secularism that embraced atheism.

"Europe has denied its Christian roots from which it has risen and which could give it the strength to fend off the danger that it will be conquered by Muslims, which is actually happening gradually," he said.

"At the end of the Middle Ages and in the early modern age, Islam failed to conquer Europe with arms. The Christians beat them then.

"Today, when the fighting is done with spiritual weapons which Europe lacks while Muslims are perfectly armed, the fall of Europe is looming."

He called on Christians to respond to the threat of Islamisation by living their own religious faith more observantly.

Last year Cardinal Jose Policarpo, the Patriarch of Lisbon, warned Catholic women against marrying Muslims.

Italian Cardinal Giacomo Biffi also urged the Italian government to give priority to Catholic migrants over Muslims in order to protect his country's religious identity.

The Vatican has also opposed Turkey joining the European Union partly because the Muslim country does not share the continent's Christian heritage.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/6942088/Cardinal-says-Christian-Europe-is-to-blame-for-Islamisation.html

A Few Thoughts for the start of 2010

'The issue around sonship and the Bride is a matter of maturity. Martha was a son, but Mary modelled the Bride. I have been drawing the Bride to a secret place where I can instil within her heart an intimacy for Jesus. I use the imagery of marriage as it is the most intimate relationship between a man and a woman. The Bride is first and foremost in love with the Bridegroom. Agape develops between her and Jesus so that Jesus really becomes the object of her love and desire to the point where she is lost in Him, nothing matters to the Bride but Jesus. The Bride has a level of humility not seen in the church before. Intimacy and humility are the hallmarks of the Bride, but do not mistake meekness for weakness. Humility allows Jesus the pre eminence and 'self' to be swallowed up in Him. Neither is there any fear of man in the Bride, she lives for the Glory and honour of Jesus. The Bride is, she doesn't do. The Father's works are administered by the Bride to the glory of Jesus. The Bride has higher delegated authority than a son. Look at it in the natural. The queen is the king's wife. While the king has overall and final authority the queen commands more authority than the son who is the 'king' in waiting. Where the son can go and implement the king's rule and reign, the queen can share in and influence the whole kingly strategy. It's another degree of authority for the Bride in the same way she enjoys a greater degree of intimacy than the son. It's the same but more, if you can grasp the meaning.'

Jesus

Its amazing how much impact the death of Buddy Holly had on this 16yrs old boy soldier. I don't know to this day why it affected me so much. But every time I think of Jesus dying on the cross for me my heart fills with love and gratitude, a totally different emotion when Buddy died. Aren't you glad God gave us feelings?

The Same

I'm beginning 2010 as I left 2009, pursuing the presence of God. I am pressing into His promises for me until they become my experience. How about you?