Chocolate Evangelism!!
'I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some' - 1 Cor 9:22At the end of 2004, as a Church we invited Bobby Ball, the comedian and evangelist, to come to our Church building for an outreach event. We decided to put on a bit of food as part of the event. We decided to hire a chocolate fountain for the
night - it was amazing! - The night went really well and when Bobby gave his appeal, 7 people responded to become christians as a result of the gospel message.
Tonight, the chocolate fondue that we were given 5 years ago, makes it's party debut - 400g of melted diary milk - pure indulgence! - yet a great accompanient to welcome in the new year with good friends!
If you ever want to hire a chocolate fountain or want to visit a shop of
sheer chocolate heaven!, then visit
http://www.slattery.co.uk/Labels: Bobby Ball, Evangelism, New Year
The Powerful Word of God
"Let us read the Bible as the Word of God and never apologise for finding Jesus Christ throughout its pages for Jesus Christ is what the Bible is all about" - A.W Tozer
"The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives" - D.L. Moody
“The subject of Authority is indeed the great theme of the Bible itself” - Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work - 1 Timothy 3:16-17
“Our greatest need today is an enlarged vision of Jesus Christ. We need to see him as the one in whom alone the fullness of God dwells and in whom alone we can come to fullness of life. The Bible is the Prism by which the light of Jesus Christ is broken into its many colours. The Bible is the portrait of Jesus Christ” - John Stott
Labels: A.W.Tozer, Bible, Dr.Martyn Lloyd Jones, John Stott, Quotes
A Prophetic People
Amos replied, "I'm not one of your professional prophets. I certainly never trained to be one. I'm just a shepherd, and I take care of fig trees. But the LORD called me away from my flock and told me, `Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.' - Amos 7:14-15
I was reading this today and was greatly encouraged and inspired about how God calls us to be prophetic in our workplace and life whatever that situation or context is.
Somtimes, when I ask people what they do, they say just a secretary, just a software engineer, just a mechanic or just a mother or housewife. Amos said to the Lord, that he was just a shepherd and that he hadn't had the formal training or 'professional' position of a prophet in the temple. These things didn't matter to God then with Amos, and he doesn't disqualify anyone now based on what they do in their life work and situation.
I rejoice and thank God for those who God has called to lay down secular work to be full time in the work of God. They are anointed leaders who are a great blessing in helping to lead the Church of Jesus Christ in this important time. However, they would be the first to point out that they don't have a monopoly of hearing God and moving in prophesy.
God has always intended that all his people should prophesy and that they should be a prophetic people whether they lead a church, work as a dustbin man, care for people as a nurse or look after children at home.
I never let anyone get away with the confession of I just do this or just do that. If you are a child of God and continually filled with the Holy Spirit then God has called you to be his witness and ambassador in word and deed, to be prophetic in your workplace, community and home for the glory and extension of his wonderful Kingdom
Labels: Minor Prophets, Prophetic, Workplace
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Arthur Wallis
Arthur Wallis (1923-88) completed his first book "In The Day of Thy Power" in 1956 and still today this book is recognised as seminal to what has been titled the
'restoration movement'.
His writings are excellent and I have enjoyed and benefited greatly from reading his books including
Living God's Way, Going on God's Way, Onto Maturity, Radical Christian, In the Day of Thy Power, Pray in the Spirit and God's Chosen Fast.Here are a couple of quotes from 'In the Day of Thy Power':
'Revival is God revealing himself to man in awful holiness and irresistible power. It is such a manifest working of God that human personalities are overshadowed and human programmes abandoned. It is man retiring into the background because God has taken the field...working in extraordinary power on saint and sinner alike' - Arthur Wallis'The work of God is not so independent of human means as it sometimes appears' - Arthur Wallis'At the heart of every revival is the spirit of prayer' - Arthur WallisLabels: Arthur Wallis, Heroes of Faith, Quotes
Hosea: The Book of Covenant Love
I'm reading through Hosea at the moment in the Bible, it's a great book showing the covenant love and heart of God for his people. It shows the depths of the faithfulness of God and his desire for restoration for his people as they walk in obedience and holiness with him and each other.
One verse stuck really touched and inspired me that is repeated by Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 9:13)
'For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings' Hosea 6:6The word mercy here is the hebrew word
hesed in the passage of Hosea. A word that is hard to translate adequately into English but it can be described as the covenant love of God, his loving kindness and the faithfulness of his heart of compassion and love for his people.
God, desires in return, our obedience, our pure devotion to him, not our outward efforts, actions and offerings alone but our heart.
God always goes for the Heart. God's intention has always been for hearts and minds to be in total devotion and obedience to him - that's the path of blessing and enjoying the fulness of his Covenant Love.
"Hesed stood for his eager, ardent desire for his people and describes the depth, and the strength, and the certainty of his divine compassion.Erling Thu, Friends of Covenant“By Creation God bound himself to man in covenantal relationship. After man’s fall into sin, the God of all creation graciously bound himself to man again by committing himself to redeem a people to himself from lost humanity. From creation to consummation the covenantal bond has determind the relation of God to his people. The extent of the divine covenants reaches from the beginning of the World to the end of the age.”O.Palmer Robertson, Christ of the CovenantsLabels: Covenant, Erling Thu, Minor Prophets, O.Palmer Robertson, Quotes
The Past is not your Future
At this time of the year, it's good to recall what has happened throughout the year and look forward to the new year - for me, as a Christian, there is always hope for the future, excitement and expectation for all the new things that God has in store for my life and family.
I saw a couple of news and media items this week which made me thank God that my past doesn't hold me back now I have know the saving power of Jesus Christ and his restoring work in my life.
Charlotte Church has a current single titled 'Even God can't change the past' - when I heard this, I thought to myself
'But he can heal and restore the past and give you a wonderful future'. Maybe I should give the mini welsh singing popster a call to tell her. The message of the cross and the redeeming power of God is 'The Past is not your Future' - God heals, restores and gives a wonderful future and destiny once a living relationship with Jesus is established.
Another news item on the same vein, Prince Charles has reportedly said he may take his middle name George when he becomes King as the name 'Charles' doesn't have a very good track record when in power in relation to bloodshed and Charles I being the only member of the monarchy to be beheaded! - Again, an example of someone's past holding them back for their future.
Outside of Christ, the past with all it's hurts, disappointments and fears can be a lead weight, a hindrance and restriction to the future. But in Christ, there is healing, restoration and hope for all our futures - it's a wonderful hope, sure and certain, and very exciting!
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus - Philippians 3:13-14"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten" - Joel 2:25
Even the very shape of the Cross points to the fact that the death and resurrection of Christ reaches back into our past - healing, forgiving and restoring it, it stands in our present situation, faithful, strong and true, yet points forward to the future, a wonderful, peaceful and life changing future in Jesus Christ.
Labels: Future, News, Restoration
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
May you all have a wonderful, peaceful and blessed Christmas and a prosperous and successful New Year, May you know the love, peace and joy of knowing Jesus Christ as you go into 2006
God Bless, Gavin, Rachel and Daniel White
If you don't know Jesus Christ, and would like a real, living and loving relationship with him have a read of this.
It'll be the best decision you will ever make and the most amazing christmas present you will ever get - the gift of eternal life with Jesus Christ
Labels: Christmas, Holidays, Salvation
Marriage is Great
With all that has happened in the media this week with Same Sex Civil Partnerships. I wanted to write something positive about how amazing marriage is. It is such a blessing, a gift, one of God's many great ideas and a fantastic way of expressing covenant love that God always intended to be shared between a man and woman.
Marriage is great, its not old fashioned, outdated or doomed for disaster from day one - it is wonderful and to be cherished, worked at and enjoyed by Husband and Wife for life, one with another
I love how the Bible is so practical about all aspects of life and marriage and relates to all the pressures of life, with a response of faith, encouragement and wisdom.
Thank you Lord for Marriage, man and woman, for life with one another.
Didn't the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard yourself; remain loyal to the wife of your youth - Malachi 2:15For my detailed view on Same Sex Civil Partnerships, see my post
here:Labels: Civil Partnerships, Marriage, Rachel
Apostles Today: Book Review + Thoughts - 04
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ - Eph 4:11-13'It is my conviction that recognising apostles and prophets and letting them function will yet prove the most important restoration breakthrough of our time' - Arthur Walls, Radical Christian, 1981Biblical Hallmarks of an Apostle taken from Apostles Today, Pg.102-104- Bryn Jones
- Holiness of Character
- Humility
- Faithfulness
- A compassionate and caring heart
- Vision
- Signs and Wonders
- Great Patience
- A visible seal of apostleship
- Willingness to work in team with others
'It takes more than mere gift and ability to constitute men apostles; it takes God himself, his will and his call. No man can attain to apostleship through natural or other qualifications; God must make him an apostle if he is ever to be one' - Watchman Nee, Spiritual Authority
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets - Acts 3:19-21
Labels: Apostles, Book Review, Bryn Jones, Watchman Nee
Incarnation:Making Jesus Famous in the Community
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of PeaceIsaiah 9:6It's amazing to see the wonder of new birth and the life of a baby with our new son, Daniel Joseph White. Rachel and I were talking last night about how Jesus Christ, Lord of the Universe, God himself came as a baby - doing all the very 'human' things that babies do! (leave that to your imagination!) whilst still being fully divine, fully God yet fully human, fully man
A couple of my good friends here in Manchester in King's Church have sent me their recent essays from their prospective studies, one is on 'Community Cohesion' for a Masters Degree in Housing Policy and the other is on the 'Urban Church' for a theology degree. Both are excellent essays and highlight the need in today's society for 'community'. For there to be cohesion that is based on far more than money, laws and rules but about relationships, involvement and service of one another.
The glory of the incarnation, God coming in human form is amazing and fantastic. It demonstrates to us that the 'community' of Godhead came to Earth in the form of a crying baby and showed us that God was totally interested in getting involved in the redemption of humanity, totally involved in the community of people on earth and 'getting his hands dirty' to see the life of the community of heaven established on earth.
At Christmas, we are reminded about this great truth that Jesus came as a baby, about the wonder of the incarnation. I believe this is a lifestyle decision and great opportunity for Christians to be 'incarnational' in their homes, streets, neighbourhoods, workplaces and cities for the glory and fame of King Jesus and the advancement and extension of his wonderful Kingdom.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross - Col. 1:19-20
Labels: Community, Daniel, Incarnation
Apostles Today: Book Review + Thoughts - 03
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles - 1 Cor 12:28
Arthur Wallis on the relationship between Apostles, Prophets and Evangelists...
'The living stones have to be built together to form God's habitation. The evangelist has to quarry the stone, the apostles and prophets to put individual stones together - the business of finding where each stone belongs and bringing them into a right relationship with each other'
Arthur Wallis, Pg.20-21
Terry Virgo on Apostolic Authority and Doctrine and the Identity of God's People:
'How many in the evangelical church are deeply assured that they have been crucified with Christ, have been delivered from Sin, have died to the law and free from all condemnation? Apostolic doctrine handled with apostolic authority and insight is desperately needed'
Terry Virgo, Pg.41
Bryn Jones on the role of Apostles and the Community of God of Earth:
'The key to the progress of the Church today lies in a re-emergence of Apostolic companies, close knit groups of gifted leaders with ministries who will reap a harvest and establish the community of God as churches across the world. Such expansion will never be achieved through one or two individuals but through the joining together of many individuals for the advance of the gospel' - Bryn Jones, Pg.141
Labels: Apostles, Arthur Wallis, Bryn Jones, Quotes, Terry Virgo
Let your light shine!!
I think if I wasn't married to someone with such good taste - our house would look something like this!! - I'm fascinated by christmas lights and the extent and expense that some people go to on their houses, there are numerous houses on the estate where we live that look something similar to this!
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven - Matthew 5:14-16
Labels: Christmas, Community, Vision
Apostles Today: Book Review + Thoughts - 02
'An Apostle's joy is not found in witnessing just individuals lives changed through the power of Christ, wonderful though that is, but in seeing large numbers of such people shaped together to form a community which is able to express to the world what it is like to live under the government of God' Keri Jones, Apostles Today, Pg.79-80Reading through this book, you see that an Apostle has a BIGGER picture of the ultimate plan and purpose for the Kingdom of God and the Church than the average church leader. They see the BIG picture of God's purposes - what they see is very important and shapes and forms the life of the leaders and churches that they oversee and care for so that they can go further into the purposes and fulness of Christ.A college lecturer at School of the Word in 2003 encouraged me to always ask an Apostle,
'what do you see?' - it is always outstanding, inspiring and greatly encouraging to hear the response to this pertinent question.
The comparison between the ministry and function of an Apostle and an Architect is obviously fascinating for me as an Architect. The Apostles in the New Testament could be described as 'Wise Architects' as Bryn Jones describes them in this book. An Architect sees the
BIG picture, they have vision of the end result and completed building which guides every decision during the development and implementation of the design. An Architect enables other trades, workmen and designers to function and work to see the completed building come into being. This can be paralleled with an Apostle and their relationship with other Ministries and Leaders, so that they can be released and commisioned into the specific task that God is calling them to.
'The Anointing and Authority of Paul's Apostolic commission is demonstrated in the way he built the churches under his care. The Greek Word he uses for 'master builder' gives us the English Word 'Architect'. An Architect is concerned with the total design of the building. He is the person with the blueprints from which every other person on site is working. Today's Apostle, like Paul, has the complete picture of what is being built and the overall strategy for building it. And into this programme others with God-given ministry gifts fit with their own contributions'Bryn Jones, Apostles Today, Pg.49Labels: Apostles, Bryn Jones, Keri Jones, Quotes
Daniel Joseph comes home!
Praise God - Rachel and Daniel are now home. God has been so good and faithful and totally healed Daniel of his infection which he had when he was first born - We are so pleased and grateful to the goodness and kindness of God through this last week - Daniel is now 1 week old!
Our church family, our two natural families and all the staff at the hospital have been totally amazing and a real blessing to us at every stage - Thank you God - Roll on Christmas, I hope someone gets Daniel a Scaletrix!
Labels: Daniel, Family, Healing
Apostles Today: Book Review + Thoughts - 01
I went out for a wonderful curry with my good friend Mark Lawrence recently. Whilst there I was telling him how I have had the great privilege in my life of growing up in Churches for nearly 27 years since I was 2 that have had Apostolic Oversight and direction to them. These two churches have had the apostolic oversight of Bryn and Keri Jones to them. It has made such a difference looking back of which I am very grateful. I've been reading Apostles Today recently which is book, or a collection of articles edited into a book taken from Restoration magazine in the 1980's. It's a good book of which I will review and comment on for the next few days.
In the Old Testament, God showed Moses the exact pattern of how he wanted the Temple to be built and constructed in Exodus 25:49. He wanted a temple where he could dwell with his people by the power of his presence. Now, we are in the new covenant, he still wants a temple where he can dwell, but now he wants people, living stones filled with his spirit that will become the dwelling of God on this earth. When these living stones come together, Christ can build and put together his glorious church. God has appointed Apostles and Prophets to build on the foundation of Christ in the Church. In Revelation 21:14 it states:
The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb
The twelve apostles of the Lamb are those who walked, talked and witnessed the life of Christ whilst he was on the Earth. The Apostle Paul inaugurated a new order of Apostles in the Church. Apostles who were witnesses of the resurrection life of Christ. These would be men who would carry the blueprints and plans for the Churches development and maturity. To continue building on the foundation of Christ in his body here on earth.
“The Apostle is primarily an architect, concerned with the overall design of the local church"
Bryn Jones, Apostles Today, Pg.106
God’s plan for his Church is one of beauty, splendour and majesty. He sees something very special that will reflect his Son, Jesus Christ to the World. He does not want the house of God to be built out of order or haphazardly, he wants something beautiful, mature and radiant. This is why we need good foundations, why we need Apostles and Prophets today:
“God’s Methods are men and women. Each of us has a part in the building of the Church, but the Apostles’ part is a major one. They are God’s method at an influential level. The Church will never be built by a motley bunch of plumbers, bricklayers and carpenters, no matter how skilled. Wise master-builders are the key. Apostles, they are called”
David Matthew, Apostles Today, Pg.12
Labels: Apostles, Bryn Jones, David Matthew, Mark Lawrence, Quotes
Hungry for God
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. - 1 Peter 2:2-3As I'm spending nearly 8 - 10 hours a day at the hospital with Rachel and Daniel at the moment until they come home on Monday (yeh!). God is speaking to me loads through our new little son and all the habits of life that he is learning and developing. As he feeds you can see that he is beginning to love and crave milk, on the first day he wasn't so sure but now, well he is totally sure that milk is great!
The Apostle, Peter calls us to 'crave' spiritual milk, the word crave means to:
' To have an eager or intense desire ' God call us to be hungry for him like a baby is hungry for milk for its nourishment and life. I am challenged to be that hungry and thirsty for the word of God and the Holy Spirit to be seen and evident in and through my life. I want to increasingly have a eager desire for the Kingdom of God and its advancement and extension that is totally undeniable and unquenchable in all that God calls me and my family to do for his glory in this world - what a great opportunity and way of life!The sovereign, gracious, yet powerful hand of God will lead his people into the fulfillment of all that he has purposed, promised and planned for his church in advancing his Kingdom in this time - He calls us to crave after him and his purposes with a fresh desire and eagerness to see
His Kingdom come, and His Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven
Labels: Daniel, Hunger, Revelation
New Birth
Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:38Just so there is no misunderstanding - this picture does not mean in any shape of form that I agree with or advocate infant baptism - No, it's daniel's first bath!!!. Sorry, as you can tell, Rachel and I are totally in love with our new little boy who is giving endless pleasure and joy to us, and all the family and friends who have visited us - it means there may be a few more pictures of him on the blog in the next few weeks!
God has spoken to me so much over the last few days through my son coming into the world. The whole process of delivering a baby is totally awesome and a testimony to the miracle working power of God in bringing new birth in the natural as we have seen this week with Daniel coming into the world.
That same miracle working power is also evident when people are born again, and become christians - as Jesus talked about in John 3 they don't have to go into their mother's womb all over again and be delivered in labour (I think once is enough!) - but there is a process of new birth when you become a Christian that is similar to when you are born as a baby.
Everything in a maternity department is set up and ready for new babies to be born, and on the maternity wards their total and primary concern is the care and nuturing of new babies and helping them to grow. I believe there is a parallel here with the Church in that we are called to set ourselves up and be prepared to
'Go and make disciples, baptising (full imersion on the basis of faith in Christ!) them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit' - The whole process and job of making disciples of Christ and establishing them in the truth of the Kingdom of God and in Faith is a great call for the church, a great opportunity and a great challenge. After this week, I am even more up for seeing new birth now in the spiritual aswell as in the natural with Rachel at some point in the future! God, let your kingdom come and your will be done through new birth and thousands of people giving their lives to becoming disciples of Jesus ChristPhysical life comes first, then spiritual - 1 Corinthians 15:46And now with a sober awareness of the mystery of the kingdom -- present yet future; fulfilled but not consummated -- let us go on as a church to seek the kingdom first -- to discover all we yet should be for the salvation of lost sinners and the glory of King Jesus!John Piper - http://www.soundofgrace.com/piper90/02-04-90.htm
Labels: Baptism in Water, Daniel, John Piper
Meaning of Daniel Joseph
Another photograph of gorgeous Daniel Joseph with Rachel today!, forgot to put on yesterday the meaning of our new little baby boy's names:
Daniel - God is my judge
Joseph - May he addWe decided on these name as they convey our heart for the Kingdom of God in terms of rule and leadership, outreach and evangelism, righteousness and justice, and extension and growth - God is Great!
Labels: Daniel, Joseph, Rachel
Introducing Daniel Joseph White
Well this is 'mini white' himself. Daniel Joseph White, Born 11:19am - 13.12.05, 6lb 10oz. Rachel was amazing in giving birth to our wonderful son!, I am very proud of her, she did so well. Daniel is a lovely little boy and already has a lovely character and nature - We are very grateful to God for his provision and faithfulness in giving us this child, and also how he faithfully cared and looked after Rachel and Daniel during the labour and birth. We offer him back to God to be used for his glory in the advancement of the Kingdom of God - Thank you God for our new Child and Son
"I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end - Daniel 6:26
Young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace - Daniel 1:4
The LORD was with Joseph and blessed him greatly as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the LORD was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did - Genesis 39:2-4
Labels: Daniel, Family, Rachel
Off to the Hospital!
Labels: Daniel, Family, Rachel
Moving in his Power - Standing on his Word
'For in him we live and move and exist' - Acts 17:28God is always on the move - right from the very first pages of scripture, we see the Holy Spirit 'hovering' over the waters - in Jesus ministry it says that he was 'moved with compassion'. God is always looking for those who will move in his power as he is always looking to reach, win and draw people to a loving and living relationship with himself through the gospel message preached, proclaimed and made known
through the church.
God's plan to extend the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth has always been through a people, the family of God, the body of Christ, the radiant and glorious Church - He has called us to move in his power to see the sick healed, the lost saved and communities, cities and nations transformed with the Message of the Kingdom Rule and Reign of Jesus Christ.
As we stand on the promises of God and the truth of his word, this will be the foundation and base from which we move. An athlete always runs the best on the track when they launch off from a firm and secure set of starting blocks. In the same way, we are called to burst forth into the world in the power of the Holy Ghost from the firm and lasting foundation that is the Word of God, the word of God that is the rock upon which we stand in all that we do.
'For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God's power' - 1 Corinthians 4:20P.S - Rachel is now at the beginning of Labour so it's off to the Hospital soon - there may not be much blogging for a day or two but the next blog will reveal '..mini white..' to the world!! - very excited as you can probably can tell!
Labels: Daniel, Kingdom of God, Rachel, Revelation
Consuming Fire
I watched the news a bit yesterday and was astounded by the size and intensity of the fire at the Fuel Depot in Hemel Hempstead. It looks like Praise God, that no-on was killed and there were relatively few injuries in relation to the size of the fire which is good.
I was struck by the intensity and ferociousness of the fire and it reminded me of the way that the Bible talks about fire in relation to God - Fire consumes, it takes over - it is radiant, bright and seen by many - it attracts attention and shines bright to the world around.
For the LORD your God is a consuming fire - Deut 4:24Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn - John Wesley (Christian Preacher - 1703-1791)Labels: John Wesley, News, Quotes
Prayer of Faith
From recent posts you can probably tell that I've been looking and studying what the word of God says about prayer and faith, I preached on this at King's Church, Manchester on sunday - if you'd like to have a listen, click
here and listen to 'Prayer of Faith'
Labels: Faith, Prayer, Preaching
Praying in the Holy Spirit
'But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life' - Jude 1:20Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tyre? - Corrie Ten BoomPray Continually - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Labels: Holy Spirit, Prayer, Quotes
Prayer and Faith Quotes
The important thing is not the size of your faith - it is the One behind your faith, God Himself - Oral Roberts
Prayer Catapults us onto the frontier of spiritual life - Richard Foster
When the storms of life strike, it's what happens in you that will determine what happens to you - Jerry Savelle
Prayer is the central avenue that God uses to transform us - Richard Foster
Faith does not ask for any other evidence than for the written Word of God. Prayer does not cause faith to work, faith causes prayer to work - Gloria Copeland
The emphasis upon discipline throughout the life must not be missed if prayer is to be the powerful work and effectual discipline God intended it to be, one of the most precipous gifts to us - Dallas Willard
I have little faith in a great God. It wasn't luck or influence. It was just hard work - and God's providence. Nobody enjoys being a Christian more than I do. I wouldn't exchange it for anything else I know anything about.
The greatest power that God has given to any individual is the power of prayer.
The Holy Spirit is the secret of the power in my life. All I have to do is surrender my life to Him. Think big, talk big, act big. Because we have a big God.
Whenever we find the presence of the Holy Spirit, we will always find the supernatural.
Kathryn Kuhlman
May I call you to the adventure of Prayer - nothing draws us nearer to the heart of God - Richard Foster
Labels: Faith, Prayer, Quotes
A Heavenly Perspective
Well, I thought I'd post a picture of Manchester in the sun again (its always sunny here - the rain is an urban myth started in London)
This is very near where I work - this is off a great website called
www.webaviation.co.uk - have a look to get a 'new' perspective of where you live! (the site is a bit weighted in favour of the north - never a bad thing, but not great for bloggers from south of Sheffield) - Have a great weekend! - Keep a heavenly perspective!
Labels: Cities, Images, Manchester
Prayer: Net Breaking Fruitfulness
God has always intended that his people are fruitful in all areas of their lives. God has been speaking to me this week about being fruitful in finance, friendship and witness as a Christian in my workplace and where I live. God has destined that when we are fruitful, we can bless others and be a blessing.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break - Luke 5:4-7Prayer is key to this as it allows us to tune in to the heavenly air waves and tune into what the Holy Spirt is saying and doing. The Holy Spirit brings fruitfulness and increase to our lives
I love Cricket and recently when i've been getting up in the mornings i've tuned into good old LW 198 on the radio to 'tune in' to Pakistan v England from halfway across the world. England certinaly need some prayer at the moment on the old cricket front, but it reminded me that we can tune into God and what he is doing through a life of prayer in the holy spirit. When we do this I believe we will see 'net breaking fruitfulness'.
"Remember that you can pray any time, anywhere. Washing dishes, digging ditches, working in the office, in the shop, on the athletic field, even in prison -- you can pray and know God hears!"
Billy Graham
Labels: Billy Graham, Increase, Prayer, Quotes
Prayer:The Fresh Bread of Heaven
"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread - Matthew 6:9-11The picture of bread in the Bible is rich and varied:- Jesus is described as the bread of life
- It's a food of covenant in both the new and old covenant
- It symbolises God's provision and faithfulness to his people
As I'm looking at Prayer this week in my studies and reading, I picked up on how bread was used as a metaphor in the Lord's Prayer and how bread was used in the presence of God in the OT. I thought that these must be linked and I believe that as we pray as Jesus directed us in Matthew 6 we release the 'freshness of his presence and anointing'. This is as real and fantastic as fresh bread from the bakery yet even better as it comes from the 'bakery of heaven' - the presence of God!
The bread of the presence in the OT was replaced regularly and weekly to maintain it's vitality and freshness and I believe that Jesus picked up on this in the Lord's prayer by replacing weekly fresh bread to 'daily fresh bread' - Jesus was promising us the daily filling of our lives with the presence of God and the life of the Holy Spirit. Anointing and God's provision is continually available daily in his presence, we shouldn't rely on what we received in the past or even what has worked and been a success then - God is always into freshness and life in all he does.
Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times - Exodus 25:30
Labels: Bread of Life, Jesus Christ, Prayer
Read, Hear, Believe and Act
I had a great chat with a young guy from our church family yesterday. He has been a christian under a year and he was telling me about how after reading his Bible he had decided to fast and pray today for his friends to be saved . He said to me
'Jesus fasted and prayed- so i'm going to do the same'
I thought to myself and told him that he had caught hold of something powerful. He had read and heard the word of God, believed it to be true and then acted upon it. I read this morning the powerful statement of Jesus Christ at the end of the book of Mark, about what those who believed in him would see and do:
And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them." Mark 16:15-19
I believe this to be true for me, for the church I am part of and for all those who believe in Christ and obey his word. It's not just true, but the truth. What a honour we have to see people healed in the name of Jesus as we lay hands on them - that he trusts us as his people to use his power in this life changing way.
I thank God so much for his powerful, life changing word that is true yesterday, today and forever. It is changing lives as his people put their faith in Christ and his word into powerful action under the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit. - PRAISE GOD!
Labels: Action, Obedience, Prayer
Marriage - God's Original Intention
Roger Aubrey's (
www.rogeraubrey.com) excellent blog article this week on this subject prompted me to re-issue an article I wrote earlier in the year during the general election campaign.
Civil Partnerships"In everything truth surpasses the imitation and copy."
Cicero, Roman Author (106-43 BC)
On December 5 2005 under the Civil Partnerships Act 2004[1] it is now possible for a same sex couple to register their relationship as a ‘civil partnership’.
But right from the outset of this legislation, it seems to be a flawed act of parliament from a Christian viewpoint. It puts something forward, which is an imitation and a counterfeit copy of God’s original and true intention for mankind.
Real marriage from the Bible’s teaching has always been the vehicle and the means for God to fill the earth with people in his image who will choose to follow and worship him. God’s plan has always been for sex to be enjoyed between one man and one woman within the context of a lifelong commitment to each other. This is reflected and demonstrated in marriage by the way that a husband and wife are devoted to each other and the children that God blesses them with, and that as a unit they reflect the glory of God in their lives, relationships and actions.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them - Genesis 1:27
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh - Genesis 2:24
This paints the picture of the original intention that God had and still has for us today.
So, why do civil partnerships go against this intention?
- Men and women are different. Equal in their status before God but different in their roles. Biology and anatomy blatantly show us that. However, in the subtle intertwines of life, the varying threads of male and female virtues and character are woven together to reflect God in our relationships and life together. A man or a woman on their own cannot fully reflect the image of God. In a sexual relationship neither can a same sex couple reflect the full quality, diversity and richness of man and woman in all their different roles, emotion and character.
- It places legality and the functions of life before the commitment of the heart and mind to a covenant bond and relationship. A civil partnership may seem to be like marriage but there are key differences that relate more to the issue of commitment and joining for life that undergirds marriage. Sadly, divorce rates stand at 166,700 in 2003[2], but still more than 60% of marriages stay together for life.[3] However, it is still statistically proven that a married couple (a man and a woman) will stay together longer than a cohabiting; be they heterosexual or homosexual. (83% of cohabiting relationships end within 10 years whereas the average length of a same sex relationship is 24 months.[4])
- A same sex relationship is not a whole relationship, it doesn’t join together what God intended to be joined. It neither matches nor meets what God wants for the people that he loves. This is in the same way that a cohabiting couple or those involved in sexually promiscuity ‘fastrack’ what God wants for the people he creates. God wants whole relationships not incomplete or premature ones. He also desired us to have pleasure and enjoyment within the limits of freedom he has given us to enjoy and thrive within.
"Pleasure is God's idea, not the Devil's"
C.S Lewis
A strong oak tree thrives within the ‘limits’ of nutrient rich soil and ground, a fish flourishes in the ‘limits’ of the vast blue ocean and a sexually active man and woman thrive within the ‘limits’ of marriage.
Humans will thrive in relationships based on the principles of the Bible, the portrait of Jesus Christ, the timeless manifesto and guidebook for living life.
Oliver Letwin, Conservative MP stated earlier in the year:
'..Marriage works, so what is the point of a pale imitation?..'
Families, underpinned by life-long committed marriages, provide the best opportunity for adults to remain together and to thrive emotionally and physically. They also provide the most stable and enduring environment in which children can grow physically, mentally and emotionally. Marriage establishes intergenerational links from the past, through the present and into the future.
My Prayer is for the UK to have strong, healthy and vibrant biblical based marriages that provide sound foundations for family life.
God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that's what.
So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don't cheat on your spouse.
Malachi 2:16 (Message translation)
[1] http://www.answers.com/topic/civil-partnership-act-2004
[2] http://www.statistics.gov.uk/
[3] In England and Wales 60% of marriages are projected to be lifelong. See Population Trends 83, Spring 1996, page 25, Office of National Statistics.
[4] http://www.christianinstitute.org.uk/html-publications/adoption_briefing2.htm
Labels: Civil Partnerships, Marriage, News
Prayer: 24/7 Prayer
'..Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.." - 1 Thess 5:16-18Prayer is powerful because God is powerful and he is demonstrating his power and might through his Church in the days that we live in. He is powerful to save, heal, provide, release and restore all that the promise of his covenant word contains and declares.
God has been speaking to me about
'There is a time for everything but every time is a time for the Holy Spirit' - Prayer is so key to this and releases our lives and spirit to be in line with the Father Heart of God. Every moment can be used by the Holy Spirit to be bring glory and honour to King Jesus in our lives. God has been showing me that I have many opportunities to do this - more than I recognise and make use of - but by the leading of his Holy Spirit I can grab hold of them to advance and demonstrate the Kingdom of God.
The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is - C. S. Lewis'..Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity..' - Col 4:5Prayer turns our hearts and minds to Jesus, it focusses us on the Kingdom of God and not the world around us - it releases faith, expectation and anointing as you encounter the living God in his glorious presence. Jesus is the word, the word of covenant over our lives, he is faithful and true and so reliable and trustworthy. He is the solution and answer to our past, to today and to all the wonderful plans and purposes that we can pray into for our futures.'..Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever..' - Hebrews 13:8
http://www.24-7prayer.com/
Labels: C.S. Lewis, Prayer, Quotes
'I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some' - 1 Cor 9:22
night - it was amazing! - The night went really well and when Bobby gave his appeal, 7 people responded to become christians as a result of the gospel message.
sheer chocolate heaven!, then visit http://www.slattery.co.uk/
