God's Creation
Isn't God's creation amazing? - these pictures are courtesy of the National Trust. The photograph above is one of their sites in South Wales at Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsula.
Our great friends Joe and Bethany James first introduced us to this amazing spot a few years ago. They had us clambering over rocks, up and down cliffs and even took us right out to the end of Worm's Head - it was amazing. It reminded me that friends take you further in life than you would go on your own. Friends encourage and lead you into new and exciting things. Friends help us to see the beauty of God and his wonderful creation all around us everyday.
And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good - Genesis 1:9-10
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea - Habakkuk 2:14
Labels: Creation, Friends, Glory of God
Fear of God Quote
Following on from a recent
post on the Fear of God, here is a quote from Oswald Chambers:
The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.
Oswald ChambersLabels: Fear of God, Oswald Chambers, Quotes
Divine Ex-Change
God is the God of the Turn-Around. He is in the wonderful business of divine exchange. If we turn to him and change our hearts towards him, he responds in power. If we turn him, and turn from our own way of living and live for him alone, he graciously responds in love, life and freedom.
In Jesus Christ, we have the ultimate divine exchange as we put our faith in him:
He will take our darkness and turn it into light
He will take our pain and heal it in his name
He will take our despair and turn it into joy
He will take our hurt and give us hope
He will take our old life and give us his new life
Thank you Jesus that you want to change me day by day by the power of the Holy Spirit.
If you've never made this ultimate change of knowing Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour of your life, then click
here to find out more about what it is to change and follow Jesus Christ.
Labels: Change, Jesus Christ, Salvation
Philip - A Man full of the Holy Spirit (2)
'Choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom' - Acts 6:3We are first introduced to Philip in Acts 6. Here, we see that he is chosen alongside 6 other men to serve the apostles in the distribution of food to the widows. This 'deaconing' role released the apostles to the ministry of the word and to prayer. This is a great example of leadership functioning in different roles but to the same goal of seeing the Kingdom of God advanced. The result of this release of these deacons was:
'The word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith' - Act 6:7We serve in the Kingdom of God first and foremost because we want to please God and serve and honour him through our acts of service. However, the additional blessing and power of serving is that it releases others further into what God is calling them into. For instance, your washing up may release someone to go and lay hands on the sick and see them made well, or the chair you set up could provide a seat for someone to sit on and hear the word and respond in salvation. Your serving is never a 'cul de sac' but a 'conduit' for God to use to show his glory in this world.
Our service, when done in the fulness of the Holy Spirit are not just acts of kindness, but agents for the release of the life of Christ and his power in this world.
Labels: Acts, Philip, Serving
Philip - A Man full of the Holy Spirit (1)
I've been reading through the book of Acts recently. I've really enjoyed reading again about the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the fellowship, life and ministry of the early believers.
Philip, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit stood out as I read through the history and life of the early church. He had quite a wide ranging ministry which was built on the foundation of faith and the Holy Spirit.
His ministry, roles and giftings included:
- Deacon, Serving the Apostles - Acts 6
- Evangelist, In proclamation, healings, signs and wonders - Acts 8
- Teaching, Helping the Ethopian Eunuch - Acts 8
- Hospitality, Hosting Paul the Apostle - Acts 21
- Discipleship of his family, His daughters growing up in the life of the Holy Spirit - Acts 21
I'm going to do a few posts on Philip and keeping in step with the Holy Spirit in the next week or so - I love how his wide ranging, and wide reaching ministry flowed from living by faith and being full of the Holy Spirit in all that he did.
Labels: Acts, Ministry, Philip
On Line Petition against Lord Joffe Bill
There is only 3 weeks left on the second reading of the Lord Joffe Bill in the House of Lords which seeks to legalise 'assisted suicide', which is seen as a back door route for euthanasia. I personally believe it is threat to the sanctity of life that is such a core theme throughout the Bible.
Have a look at the following link and consider signing the on-line petition against the bill.
http://www.carenotkilling.org.uk/petition/For a more detailed look at this issue, have a look at the following
article written by one of my good friends Pete. He is a skilled Doctor, a member of our church family and a great man of God!
Labels: Euthanasia, News, Politics
The Continual Season of Change (3)
I've recently started a discipleship group with some fantastic people in our church family here in Manchester. One thing that I've set them to do is to read
'Radical Church', the life changing book by the late Bryn Jones. I thought I would take the opportunity to read it again as they read it as a group. Following on from my recent posts on
change, I was only 5 pages in when I read this fantastic quote today:
"As God's people, we believe that He intends something significant to happen in this generation that will restore the message and ministry of Jesus and the Christian communities of 2,000 years ago and that will take us forward to realities and maturity that the early church never saw. This demands a willingness to change on our part. Succesive revivals have highlighted the Spirit's call for change, not for the sake of change, but to recover lost ground, to realign ourselves with divine purpose. and to continue the process of the restoration of all things. It is not enough for us to try harder and harder to do old things better and better; we must change"
Bryn Jones, Radical Church, Pg.5, Destiny Image, Shippensburg, USA, 1999
Labels: Bryn Jones, Change, Quotes
Getting Ready for Bible Week
Well, we've booked in, got a tent, bought some sun-tan lotion and now Daniel has his own giraffe! - We are now ready as a family to go to Bible Week! - It's going to be great - We are very excited about all that God will do in that week in July - Have a look
here at what others in our church family think about going to Bible Week
Labels: bible week, Daniel, ministries without borders
Weekend Image
Who said that you can't teach an old dog new tricks!!!
Labels: Fun, Humour, Images
The Continual Season of Change (2)
Praise God!! – Over the last few weeks, it finally seems as if Spring is here! – the yellow daffodils are blooming, the days are getting longer, the Manchester rain is reducing (Well, we can but dream!). Anyway, this is all good news for my garden where much care is now required to tame the ever increasing weeds and advancing plants.
As I was in my garden this week, I was struck by how it is always changing. It truly is organic and full of life. In every season of the year there is always growth and change. Even in the dormant winter, the change of spring is already beginning to take place. Each season is always pregnant and expectant for the next season – change is part of it’s very nature and life.
God is always calling us to bigger changes in our lives and walk with him day by day:
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit2 Corinthians 3:18
In every season and time of change in our lives, our continual prayer must be like that of Jesus Christ
‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done’ and
‘Not my will, but yours be done’. Change is easy to adapt to when you’re not in control. Our lives were always destined and intended to be controlled and led by the overflow and anointing of the Holy Spirit:
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you – Romans 8:9God wants us to be a people who set our hearts and minds on King Jesus and his glorious Kingdom. As we allow the Holy Spirit to saturate and soak our lives in his wonderful presence, change will be easy to flow with and adapt to as we move forward in his Kingdom plans and purposes.
For another article on our attitude to change, have a look at Roger Aubrey's excellent post
here
Labels: Change, Kingdom of God, Spring
The Continual Season of Change (1)
If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained.
Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancingAugustine of Hippo, 354 - 430 ADLabels: Augustine, Change, Quotes
Riches of Heaven
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies"J. Hudson Taylor I came across this quote recently which inspired me greatly. It reminded me of the rich provision of heaven we have in God in all areas of our lives as we advance the Kingdom of God.
God is so faithful. The Holy Spirit is the rich supply of heaven for our lives. As we walk in holiness, and in the fear of God we will see great things as God moves in power.
On
Oral Roberts desk, he has a sign that says
'Make no little plans here' - I like that, God wants us to think
BIG in relation to his Kingdom coming in all it's glory on this earth in our generation.
My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus - Philippians 4:19
Labels: Increase, Oral Roberts, Quotes
Baptism in Water in the News
It was great to see open air adult water baptisms taking place in the centre of York over the weekend. Read
here for the full story. They were featured in the news headlines on Sunday night on BBC.
It reminded me of the great story that I heard about Ern Baxter. When he preached in the open air, he had a builder's skip full of cold water next to where he preached. He didn't ask people to come forward, or put their hands up in response to his gospel message - he asked them to respond by getting in the skip and be baptised in water!
Labels: Baptism in Water, Ern Baxter, News
Shaun Murphy
Following on from my recent
post on Tithing, I read an great article in the Times over the weekend about Snooker World Champion, Shaun Murphy. You can read it
here.Shaun, as a rank outsider from Rotherham, won the world championship last year at the age of 22. He is a Christian who speaks openly about his faith in Jesus Christ, and the way that prayer helps him in his chosen profession.
Last year at the
BBC Sports Personality of the Year he stated the following:
'God's given me a massive talent and he doesn't want me to be second best'
In the Times article, it also refers to his practice of tithing (bringing 10%) of all his winnings to his local church - that's a considerable amount when the prize money for winning the world championship last year was £250,000! - It's an excellent example of God honouring and blessing a man, and his family for their obedience to the word of God.
I also read over the weekend an article in
Care for the Family's magazine abo
ut Shaun Murphy and his wife Clare. It talks about the fact that Shaun's mother left them as a family when he was 14, and that he was brought through his teenage years by his Dad on his own. However, through the teachings of the Bible in his local church, he has had to learn to forgive his mother. Through that process he knows that his recent marriage and future family can be a success in God. Shaun states the following which I thought was a fantastic advert for marriage in our day and age:
'My wife adds to who I am, not takes away'Shaun is currently competing in this year's World Championships in Sheffield - Go for it Shaun!
Labels: News, Sport, Tithing
Graham and Ann Deakin Meal - Photographs
Following on from my
post last week in relation to the wonderful Graham and Ann Deakin. We had a great time at their celebration and thanksgiving meal last saturday night.
My good friend Mark Anderton took some great shots of the event which you can look at
here. Here is my particular favourite:
It was a great time of testimony and thanksgiving but also an exciting time to see everything that Graham and Ann have discipled people in the things of God starting to be bear much fruit in Manchester and beyond!
Labels: Graham and Ann Deakin, Manchester, Photographs
The Cross of Jesus Christ
God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, “I Love you” - Billy Graham
Every day of the year we remember and celebrate the Easter story, namely the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The power and impact of what Jesus accomplished on the cross over those three days 2,000 years ago is still causing eternal shockwaves and change throughout the world and the universe.
The salvation work of Christ on the cross radically transforms our lives and effects all that we do as his Church now in 2006. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross is the foundation of our faith, our worship and our message as the people of God.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God – Hebrews 12:2
Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want
Martin Luther
As we fix our eyes and lives on Jesus. We see the finished work he accomplished on the cross demonstrated in our lives. His death and resurrection assures us that:
1.
Our Past can be forgiven – If we ask Jesus Christ to forgive the sins in our lives, say sorry and turn around from living our own lives. Jesus heals and restores everything in our past – ‘The past is not your future when you live your life in Jesus Christ’
2.
Our Present is solid and sure – When you accept Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Saviour of your life, each day is a day of fulfillment, power and purpose. Each day is full of peace, life and joy in Christ Jesus.
3.
Our future is certain and secure – We have an eternal hope in being part of God’s Kingdom, not just that we go to heaven when we die – but that we are part of his earth changing community; the church - now on earth
The very nature and shape of the cross on which Jesus died shows us that its
power reaches into our pasts, positions us in the present and points us forward to the future - It's an empty cross though, Jesus Christ is alive and well today! - He is ruling and reigning with all power and majesty - because he lives, so can we
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever – Hebrews 13:8To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you - C.S. Lewis Labels: Easter, Jesus Christ, Quotes
Further Links
Life is so exciting and fulfilling at present, but slightly busy... so just time today to say that I've added a few articles to my blog. These are in relation to my passion and vision for
Making Jesus Famous in the Workplace and
in the Local Community. Hope they get you thinking about all the amazing opportunities we have each day to advance the Kingdom of God in our words, deeds and actions.
I've also added the notes to some teaching that I did at our second saturday event here in our church family in Manchester on
Ephesians 4:1-10.
Lastly, but by no means least, have a look at this
link for a Bible Week 2006 Promotional Video put together by my great friends and fellow leaders Ezekiel Shibemba and Ian Whillans.
Labels: Blogs, Links, Making Jesus Famous
Faith and Excellence
"Faith rolls on the wheels of excellence"Oral Roberts, Still Doing the Impossible, Pg.249People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He (Jesus Christ) has done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak." - Mark 7:37
Labels: Excellence, Oral Roberts, Quotes
Useful to the Master
Chocolate Teapot or Sliced Bread! - 'Useless or Useful'We've all heard how something is 'the best thing since sliced bread' - Why? - Because it is useful. I also had a friend at University who used to say how things were 'useless like a chocolate teapot' - I always thought was quite an amusing analogy!
Our lives were always intended to have a purpose and plan in the Kingdom of God. God has ordained that each member of the Body of Christ is vital and useful to each other to enable the body to function in a complete and coherent way, to give glory and honour to God.
The story of Onesimus is a fantastic one in this area. Onesimus was probably in Paul's day a common nickname for a slave. Paul plays on the greek word Onesimos which means 'profitable' in Philemon 11.
I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me - Philemon 11
Onesimus was a slave of Philemon of Colosse. He robbed his master and made his way to Rome, the frequent goal of such fugitives. Some Ephesian or Colossian person in Rome, perhaps Aristarchus or Epaphras seems to have recognised the man and brought him to Paul in his captivity. Onesimus became a Christian and was persuaded to return to his master. From that incident came the exquisite letter of Paul to Philemon. It appears that Onesimus left Rome in company with Tychicus, carrying the letter to Philemon and also Paul's letters to the Ephesian and Colossian churches.
Evangelism and Discipleship in the Kingdom of God are about taking lives that are 'useless' and making them 'useful' to God and his Kingdom. So what are the principles to living a life that is useful to God from these passages:
Know your identity as a 'Son' not a 'Slave'
Submit to Godly Authority in your life
Live a life that is Holy, based on the Word of God
Live a life in the awareness of the fear and glory of God
Stay pure before God
Be willing to serve in whatever God calls you to
Be Reliable, Dependable and Consistent
'Useless' to 'Useful' is the divine exchange that takes place in a person once their life is totally submitted to and connected with Jesus Christ.
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work - 2 Timothy 2:21
Labels: Onesimus, Testimony, Vision
Fear, Faith and Fruitfulness
‘Fear of God - Abraham’Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son - Genesis 22:12
It is a healthy thing to fear God. It is unlike a worldly fear that causes us to be anxious or worried. A Godly fear is about standing in awe in the presence of God, trusting in his word, and bowing before Christ in his beauty and majesty.
‘The fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom’ – Proverbs 9:10A person who fears God has their life built on a wise and solid foundation.
Abraham was a man just like this. He had waited for years to have a son. He stood on the promise of God that he would be ‘father to all nations’ and that his offspring would be like the sand on the beach, and the stars in the sky. God gave Abraham a Son, Isaac. When Issac had grown up, God decided to test Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his one and only Son. Abraham obeyed and was about to kill his son to offer him as a sacrifice.
Just as he was about to do it, the Angel of the Lord (Jesus Christ) called to him to stop and not sacrifice Isaac. He declared that now he knew that Abraham feared God and continued to repeat the covenant promise of increase and fruitfulness over Abraham’s life and offspring (Read Genesis 22 for the full story – it’s amazing!)
This foundation of the fear of God in Abraham’s life has a journey and progression that we can learn from for our lives and actions in 2006:
Abraham heard God and obeyed what he said to him
Abraham demonstrated that he feared God in the context of Worship
Abraham showed he was a man of faith by showing he feared God
Because of this fear and faith in God, God made him very fruitful
'I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore' - Genesis 22:17
Labels: Abraham, Faith, Fear of God
Our Wonderful Son
We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done - Psalms 78:4
Labels: Daniel, Family, Rachel
Ephesians 4:1-10
To listen to teaching on this subject, click hereEphesians 4:1-10 (NIV)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:"When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe)Introduction
We have seen in the first 3 chapters of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul paint the ‘BIG’ picture of the cosmic plan of the work of Jesus Christ through his Church in this world. These three chapters set the parameters and the frame for the detail and application to be filled in.
Keri Jones talks to us as Elders here in
King's Church about always helping the people in the church to see the ‘BIG’ Picture of God’s purposes in this world – he refers to Ephesians 1 as the example for this. Once you have done this, then the application and practical outworking can come – this is what Paul does in this and in his other letters – Colossians is a good example of this. Chapter 4 of Ephesians is the turning point from the ‘BIG’ picture to practically making it happen!
A painting or photograph comes into it’s own in the right frame and setting – our lives only find true meaning when ‘framed’ by the word of God. The book of Ephesians exalts us to ‘frame’ our worldview and outlook on life by the word of God and his eternal plan and purpose for the Kingdom and Church.
Verse 1
In verse 1, we have a classic ‘pauline’ therefore to make the change of approach in the letter. As Richard Anniss states, ‘therefore is there for a reason’. This is similar to Romans 12:1. The verse relates to the calling that we all have in Jesus Christ. In our salvation that we have by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, there is an amazing blessing. But with blessing, comes responsibility. We are a holy nation, part of a holy church – with this comes a way of living that brings honour and glory to God – we are called to live in the holy and healthy fear of God.
We are all called in the general sense as sons and daughters in his Kingdom. Within that general calling, the holy spirit then ‘calls’ us to be a doctor, nurse, architect, teacher, shop-keeper, full time mum etc
The Bible calls us to produce fruit in keeping with repentance, the first three chapters of Ephesians paint a ‘high’ view of the Church. Not high in any liturgical sense, but high in relation to purpose and importance – as a member of this community, we have to live up to that calling – we have to live a holy life, in fear and trembling.
Verse 2
In verse two, we encounter one of the NT classic ‘one anothers’ – these are the guideposts and wayfinders for how we should live as the covenant community of God.
The qualities that Paul uses to exemplify how we should live are important virtues and kingdom characteristics for us all to always be growing in:
Humility
Knowing that we cannot make it on our own, + that I am not in control
Patience
Fruit of the Spirit, Good to be content + not get frustrated or stressed
Gentleness
This applies to our words, actions and lifestyle – Greek Word, Praus – A trained animal, someone who is totally focussed and harnessed. Being a Kingdom Focussed people will allow our lives to have that ease, gentleness and effortless nature about it in all we do – unforced rhythms of grace – Matthew 11:28
Love
Jesus stated in John 13:34 – important for us + the world
Verse 3
One of the main themes of Chapter 4 is Unity. God sees his church as one, as a united people – that’s the church that comes down from heaven, and that’s the blueprint from which we should build. Paul uses a covenantal term ‘bond’ to describe peace as a means of keeping the unity of the spirit. We are in covenant together and because of that we should dwell in unity. This is where God commands his blessing.
The verse states though that we have to put some work and effort into this – ‘Make every effort’ is an active encouragement and call to us as God’s people to see the reality of heaven being outworked on earth. The unity of the Godhead displayed and showcased in the life and actions of the church.
‘Make every effort’ – This could include being an active part of a cell group, building and living out unity through a small group of friends in the church. It could mean making the effort to cook someone a meal, making sure that there isn’t anyone in the church who you have any bitterness or resentment to – Make every effort.
Verse 4 + 5
The theme of Unity is developed and expanded by Paul in this verse in relation to the church (Body) – Paul uses this term to describe the church in 1 Corinthians 12. In his verse the reference to us being called repeats again – there are 7 ‘ones’ in verses 4 and 5 – these could be looked at together like this to bring the perfection and ultimate plan for God and his church.
One God and Father = God the Father
One Lord = Jesus Christ
One Spirit = Holy Spirit
One Faith = Salvation
One Baptism = One Public display and entry into the Salvation Plan of God
One Body = Church
One Hope = Kingdom of God
Verse 6
This describes the total supremacy and control that God has over his universe. He is the supreme and exalted King, the Lord of all.
Colossians 1:15-20
Verse 7
We are saved by grace, live by grace and receive all that God has for us in the future by his wonderful grace at work in our lives. We receive his gifts and anointing by his grace.
1 Corinthians 12:4 – 6, The Bible is the best commentary on itself
Any gifts that God has given us are always for the ‘common good’, for the strengthening and edification of the church. – God, by his grace gives gifts to men for the advancement of his Kingdom through his church
Verse 8
Paul doesn’t quote Psalms 68:18 directly or literally. What he does is he takes the verse, applies the work and life of Christ to it and then quotes it again under the leading and application of the Holy Spirit. Paul, by doing this illustrates the principle that we read the OT through the filter of the NT, for the OT is found in the new – We have to look at the old and the New Testament through the lense and prism of Christ, for as we do we see the true richness and meaning of the Bible.
Because Christ has won the victory, he can now gives gifts, the result of his conquest to men, to his church – he shares the spoils of victory as he leads his people in triumphal procession.
2 Corinthians 2:14
Verse 9
Christ ascended in glory into heaven to the right hand was only possible because of the incarnation, God becoming flesh and dwelling amongst us, the ascension in glory was also possible because of Christ, the spotless lamb taking away the sin of the world by dying on the cross and three days later rising again in power. Jesus ascended because he had descended, he had come to earth and dwelt with humanity. He also beat and conquered the depths of sins and it’s hold on our lives. Jesus conquered sin and death, once and for all by his atoning and redemptive work on the cross. He beat sin and death, whether he went into hell to conquer this or not is not the primary issue. In 1 Peter 3:18-22 it states how he went to preach to those who were in prison.
The main thing is that Jesus descened to earth, beat sin and death and then was raised up and ascended into heaven so that the Holy Spirit could come – the main reason for Jesus coming to earth, so that the Holy Spirit could be poured out.
Verse 10
Because he descended in his incarnation, lived a holy and righteous life, died on the cross and rose again – through his ascension and glofication, the holy spirit has been poured and the whole universe is full of his glory. The Holy Spirit has brought the reality of Christ into all the world through being poured out upon his church.
When Jesus was here on earth, he was bound to a human body – he could only be in one place at one time – because he ascended in all glory, and the holy spirit has been poured out – Jesus know baptises and fills us in the holy spirit, which is the spirt of Christ – the limitation of one human at one place at one time has been broken out into the holy spirit filling the whole world through filling his church with the power and leading of Christ
Christ, ascended on high and seated on the throne – his rule and dominion extends to to fill the whole universe.
Philippians 2:5-11
Labels: Ephesians, Second Saturday, Teaching Notes
Graham and Ann Deakin
As a Church family we are holding a thanksgiving and celebration meal on Saturday Night for Graham and Ann Deakin. This is taking place to honour and thank them for their years of service and ministry in the life of King's Church. It's going to be a great night to say a BIG thank you to two wonderful people.
Graham and Ann have had a major impact on my life, my wife and family. Since I came to Manchester in 1995 they have been one of the main influences in my life and walk with God. Graham is a man who has always spoken the truth of God's word into my life. He has believed in me, loved me and helped me to pursue the Kingdom of God in every area of my life.
In 1998, Graham started a discipleship group for some young men in the church. I was privileged to be asked to be part of the group. In this group Graham shared his faith and vision with us for the Kingdom of God. He challenged, inspired and encouraged us to 'live a life worthy of the calling' that we had in Christ Jesus. In particular, Graham discipled and taught me in the following areas:
Authority and SubmissionGraham introduced me to the Watchman Nee's classic book 'Authority and Submission'. Graham taught me what it was to submit to God, to his word and to the God appointed leaders who care and watch over my life
Being a ServantGraham and Ann have modeled and done this by sheer example in action, They are true servants of King Jesus. Their hospitality and loving welcome in their home is famous around the world!
Kingdom CharacterGraham's heart for the Kingdom translates into seeing this established in every area of life, whether that be time-keeping, the upkeep of your home, attitude in conversation or response to criticism - Graham has challenged and inspired me in this area greatly!
I honor Graham for being a true father in the faith to me, for believing in me and giving me so many opportunities. As a family, we honor and thank them for all they have done in our lives.
Labels: Graham and Ann Deakin, Manchester, Testimonies
Healthy Fear
The Holy Spirit has been speaking to us as a Church recently about the
fear of God. Living in the fear of God is a healthy place to be at. To obey the word of God and live as his holy people in every area of our lives is so important and vital as his covenant community.
The Bible gives many examples of what the foundation of the fear of God will do in our lives, individually and in us as the church. One of these is in the whole area of health and life.
Thanks to a link from Trevor Lloyd's
Blog I came across this article on the BBC Website entitled
'Going to Church may extend life' - It's an interesting and slightly amusing article in places. However, empty religious attendance at a dead church will do nobody any good in my opinion. But, being part of a covenant community of people who are living in the fear of God, who are totally passionate about Jesus Christ and living by the power of the Holy Spirit - now that's life to the full and a healthy place to be!
The fear of the LORD adds length to life Proverbs 10:27
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones Proverbs 3:7-8
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life Proverbs 14:27
Labels: Blogs, Fear of God, Foundations
Wonderful Youth Leaders
We are totally blessed in our church family here with a fantastic team of Youth Leaders. This team is led with passion and zeal by Judah and Rachel Cole. They are doing a fine job. Rachel, Daniel and myself spent a great day with them recently hearing God's word and fellowshipping together at Quinta in deepest Shropshire, UK.
However, Daniel did seem to distract people to a certain extent at times during the day. Akin (foreground) was a man of prayer and focus through it all, whilst for a brief moment it seems that Judah and Rachel in the background were distracted by our little boy!
Click here to find out what else is going in our church family with the Youth - God is Great!
Labels: Daniel, Judah and Rachel Cole, Youth
Blooker Prize-2006
I came across this
news article yesterday. I've talked to a few people who blog about whether they would ever consider writing a book - I think there could be some great books compiled from the blogs that I read and dip into.
It raises a good point about getting the truth of God's word out into the world, and particularly it's relevance to the some of the
BIG issues of society like Respect and Authority, Community, Marriage, Social Cohesion, Family and Peace. God's word and truth is the answer to all these issues that we see in our world today.
I believe that as God's people we somtimes keep the awesome things that God says and does too quiet and too private. God is a speaking God who is doing great things in his Church for the advancement of his Kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit. A prophetic people will publicly vocalise and announce this to the world through every media and information channel possible.
The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it -
Psalms 68:11Labels: Blogs, Media, Prophetic
Making Jesus Famous in the Workplace:Workwise
This is an excellent resource produced by
LICC to help encourage and equip Christians in their places of work to be ambassadors of the Kingdom of God.
Click
here to read.
Labels: Kingdom of God, LICC, Workplace
Faith in Jesus Christ - 02
'Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe' - St. Augustine
Throughout the Bible, Faith is a continual theme God's dealings with his people. Faith is the basis and foundation for all that God does with and through his people. Faith can be likened to spiritual oxygen for the born again believer – it is essential to live, develop and walk out our Christian life.
God has challenged me in recent days about moving in a greater measure of faith in the whole area of finance, seeing the sick healed and the lost saved. It is totally challenging but incredibly inspiring. I believe that I will be able to share some great testimonies in the days and weeks to come of how God has moved in miraculous power and demonstration in these areas.
‘The righteous will live by his faith’ – Habakkuk 2:4
‘Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see’ Hebrews 11:1
‘Without faith it is impossible to please God’ – Hebrews 11:6
'Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step' Martin Luther King JrFor more excellent teaching on faith, click here to read Roger Aubrey's Principles of Faith Series Labels: Augustine, Faith, Quotes
Isn't God's creation amazing? - these pictures are courtesy of the National Trust. The photograph above is one of their sites in South Wales at Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsula. 
