Date: 30th June
Title: Empowered by the Holy Spirit.

We have been looking Sunday mornings at the wonderful fact we as Christians are an empowered people. We are discovering exactly what that means.
We are empowered by the Holy Spirit who lives within us and gives gifts to each one of us just as he determines. 1 Cor. 12:11.
I recall an incident many years ago where I was truly desperate to know more of God and the power of the Holy Spirit on my life. I was 19 and living in Senegal, West Africa.  I was there for 2 years working with a large family to share the gospel and establish a church among the Bassari people. Praise God today that Church is strong and still growing.
But this incident occurred when 2 of us were spending some 3 months on our own among another people group in the hills outside Kedougou called the Tandankies.

Maybe it was because we were on our own – isolated – in unknown territory etc that God gave me a burden to know more of the Holy Spirit in my life.
Every morning I would set out early and walk up the hill and sit on a rock under a tree and watch the village below, the women fetching water from an almost dried up river bed – the men stirring and gathering under a tree to while away some hours in putting the world to rights before deciding they should do something in the fields.

Here I began to read all I could find in the New Testament about the work and operations of the Holy Spirit. I began to pray that He would come and fill my life. I wanted so much his power on my life. I remember taking a trip into Kedougou and asking a missionary about the burden I was carrying and was told all I need to do was keep praying and it would happen and you will speak in tongues. “Ok” – back I went – continued to pray and then a couple of weeks further on back in a meeting in a little church in Kedougou I was kneeling at the altar rail when the power of the Holy Spirit came upon me. I can remember it now as if it were just last week. I could not stop weeping and the sense of God’s amazing love for me that he should come upon my life in such a way was just overwhelming. I remember riding (and pushing-it was hilly and the roads were atrocious) my moped back to the Tandanki village – well I remember arriving there. How I got there I don’t know. My mind was racing – my heart buoyant – my emotions greatly elated and God was in and on my life through the Holy Spirit in a way I had never known before, but was so glad to have.

The advice given me earlier was not really helpful and was not how it turned out for me. But what mattered was that the Holy Spirit had filled me and given me a new enabling which God was pleased to use. I pray today for a fresh anointing of His Spirit and I can tell you, as you do as well, God will not disappoint. Hallelujah!

P.S
Dave said I should include some pictures with this blog. So here are some pics of me in Africa... many years ago!!

Date: 1st June
Title: An Empowered People:

On holiday in France last week we experienced a “real” storm. Thunder and lightening crashed and flashed around the village for more than 6 hours. The day had been generally wet but when the storm broke, the wind blew strong and the rain was torrential. Our pool overflowed and meant some hasty baling out in order to save the pumps.
The next day the River Nahon had flooded its banks and 3 roads in and out of the village were cut off. We walked down to see the river. Pauline saw a huge fish jump out and so a friend Steve and I took the opportunity to go fishing. As we stood on the bridge with the water just 6 inches below the top I reflected on the awesome power of a river in flood and of water. The River Nahon is usually a small, tranquil, shallow river meandering through the village. But not today. Great logs and all kinds of debris were being caught in it. The power of the water was truly immense.

And I am reminded of the privilege that every Christian has of being immersed, through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, in the power of God. So that nothing is impossible – we can live lives in the power of God and know victory over all trials, struggles and temptations. We are an empowered people!
Part of this empowering is receiving revelation from God himself. I think one of the most amazing things we can experience on earth is to have Almighty God communicate with us. This is something he wants to do - and he does - and in many different ways. Did you know that in every chapter of the book of Acts except one there is an example of, or a reference to, a supernatural revelation/communication from God to his followers. We should not view Acts as abnormal or unique but more the establishing of what can happen and should happen as the Church continues her ministry through the years. After all the only thing that has changed are the personnel!

Am I weak or do I see myself as an empowered Christian?

By the way I never did catch that fish or any other. Oh well there is always next time.

Date: 1st April
Title: Family

How true it is that we often don't appreciate what we have until it is gone. This has been brought home to me in the past few weeks with respect to family life. Towards the end of February my dad was taken ill and eventually admitted to hospital where after nearly 2 weeks he died. It was my privilege to take both his funeral service and a memorial service for him.

I wasn't sure if I could. I wanted to because Dad had wanted me to; but it was a tough call. In the morning of the funeral service I was sat quietly thinking about what I had planned to say and how I was going to say it. The funeral directors would arrive in an hour and I thought; "I can't do this." I didn't have to say anything about dad. he had made it clear that I was to speak only of Christ and the gospel that he loved and proclaimed all his life.

My text was Phil. 1:21 "For to me to live is Christ to die is gain" So at least that would be a bit easier. But as tears welled up I really struggled to believe I could do this. As I asked God for strength I was suddenly aware of our Church family praying. I was not alone, they were there for me and God's strength would be more than sufficient; and so it proved to be.

God was gracious there, and at the memorial service 2 days later. The sun shone and several people gave testimony and payed tribute to Dad's faithful ministry, his prayer life, his passion for sharing the gospel, for the great foundation his preaching and teaching had given to their life.
What was also so encouraging to me was to hear in conversation with friends we had not met up with for years, of how in recent months Dad still had a pastoral care and heart for so many people. He was 90 and he not only began well but he finished well. May we never give up...

I guess when our family is alive and with us we can so easily take them for granted. In the last few days since dad's death I found myself thinking so much about many amazing times my sister and I shared with him and mum and thanking God so much for the privilege we had of having them as our mum and dad. They prepared us for life and they prepared us for heaven - and one day we shall be reunited with them in the Lord's presence.

Thank God too for His family. The Church, Christ's bride, as it exists and operates in the power of the Holy Spirit it surely is the most wonderful thing and the best place to be in all the world. It too equips us for life and eternity.

Treasure your family - personal and Church. Thank God for them both. Commit to both and like me your memories will be incredibly wonderful and blessed.

Date: 1st February
Title : Here- There - and Everywhere

At last another blog. I’ll try and do better this year. Honest!

Last summer (August 2007) astronomers reported the discovery of what was called a “massive blank spot in the universe.” What really got them debating was the fact that there was nothing there. No stars, galaxies, black holes, no mysterious dark matter. Just nothing.
This blank spot was rather large – a bit more than a spot - at an estimated 6 billion trillion miles. Maybe someone could work out how many times around our earth that would be. Or how it compares with our solar system! (You must want something to do!)
This area of space may lack stars and galaxies but Jeremiah 23:24 says;
“Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.”

The world’s most powerful telescope may probe into space and not see God but He is there. Our mighty and majestic God.
David says in Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
How incredible! And best of all, the bible tells us as well that HE IS WITH US. This is truly awesome. Especially when we realise that his greatest delight is to be with us even though he has all of space to fill.

This brings us a challenge. If God is everywhere and especially with me. He knows and sees everything about me. So whilst I’m taken up with this amazing thought that the Creator God who fills the heavens and the earth wants to be with me I need to watch my “P’s and Q’s” Actually I need to take care of not just my words but my actions, thoughts, motives and attitudes. The presence of a Holy God all around me and within me must move me towards repentance and godliness. Surely we should seek to do nothing that would offend Almighty God.

This brings us an amazing comfort. When we feel bruised and broken – God is there. When our heart fails us for fear – God is there, our Heavenly Father watching and caring over us.
When our spirit is dry and we feel like we are running on empty. God pours into us his love and blessing. After all he has exchanged our wretchedness and sinfulness with Christ’s righteousness.  

Just consider:
God is out there in deepest space.
He is right here with me.
He is everywhere.
He is my God and my Father.

Date: 19th November
Title: Rock

I have been thinking and reading recently about the Hebrides revival and some of the amazing events that took place when the glory of God descended on those islands. Whenever we read of such things a hunger and thirst is awakened in our own hearts. How I long for the Lord to come like a mighty river, ever deeper and wider, flooding every street and part of Colchester and the villages around. As I was reflecting on these things and preparing for this Sundays sermon (November 18th) the Lord planted a very vivid image into my mind which has not left me. Here it is:-

There before me was a huge rock, covering a large area of land. It was just there, seemingly immoveable, solid; people were trying in different ways to move it because it was for some reason hindering and blocking their progress. They could not move it though  occasionally it appeared to budge a little and the odd beetle would scurry out. Suddenly a shaft of light came on the rock and a hand reached down and lifted it up. And hundreds and thousands of creepy crawlies and bugs just dispersed in all directions, as the light hit and showed up their dark and safe world.
What does this mean?
The rock is what covers this town and keeps safe in the dark all kinds of evil, wickedness, crime and occult practices, witchcraft – addictions etc. The people around are the churches seeking in their various ways to bring in the light in order to dispel the darkness and wickedness but with little success.
The shaft of light and the hand that reaches down to remove the whole rock is of course God and his glory. And in such presence all that is evil and of the devil is dispersed and defeated. And the Lord impressed on my mind his willingness to do this very thing but that which will bring it to pass and bring such glory and
power dispelling the wickedness across this town is for God’s people to truly pray, repent, intercede and worship.

My thoughts went to 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Consider and get excited about what would happen if all selfishness and pride were gone from our lives and if every barrier between us and God was removed, and the presence of God & the glory of God comes and settles on this town.

I love watching “A place in the Sun” “Location, location, location”. “To buy, renovate or build” “Property search” and of course there are many more similar type programmes which tell us about property. Where best to buy – How to renovate – improve  and decorate etc. Well we can all dream can’t we of our own paradise? There actually is more to life than all these programmes though I guess it might be possible that by flicking through all the channels you could more or less watch these programmes 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

I wonder what your ideal place would be? And where would it be? A country cottage with a magnificent view. Peaceful yet near enough to walk to the village shop. Or something very different!

Have you ever wondered what God’s favourite place is?
Maybe Moses’ tabernacle, the first place of God’s real presence. Or rather more refined and up market Solomon’s magnificent temple. What about Herod’s temple, that was impressive too and cost a lot. Maybe God would love to show his presence in some more recent and ornate cathedral.
Actually I don’t think God is really bothered with such buildings. Not even as much as we often are.

When James speaks up at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 he quotes the prophet Amos. “After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent…” I think this is God’s favourite place. It was where David brought the ark of the covenant back to. It was where he set up continual worship. It was where there was no veil or curtain between the people and the presence of God. It was the place where he provided a seat that was suitable for God himself to sit. So that it was the place where God was delighted to come and show his presence. And that is always the very best place to be.

Date: 5th September
Title: What makes the difference?

Have you ever wondered why when two equally talented and gifted worship leaders lead worship one experience seems to draw the worshippers into the very presence of God the other is just another ordinary service.
Have you ever thought why the simple message of a professionally untrained preacher has more “signs following” his ministry than the gifted well trained eloquent preacher?
Of course we can say that it’s down to a sovereign God. Or it might be related to a particular season of prayer. But there is surely more to it than this.

I believe it has to do with what people years ago called “Divine Unction” or as we would speak of it today – “Anointing”.
In the Old Testament the High Priest was anointed - as were certain objects for use in the temple. By this anointing they were set aside and consecrated. To be anointed was to have the favour of God and to be set aside for his service. It was a sign of God’s grace and favour. Isaiah in speaking of himself and prophetically of the coming Messiah declares

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.”Isaiah 61:6

Such an anointing brings Divine authority.
Several words are used in the New Testament to speak of anointing but the main idea is smearing or rubbing oil or perfume on someone. If a patient went to the doctor with sore muscles, oil would be taken and rubbed deeply into those muscles.
So as we think of anointing two things are important:
         
1.The oil which is applied, and
2. the hands used to actually perform the anointing.

Take this and apply it to the anointing on our lives and we see God as the anointer. His hands filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit, laid powerfully on our lives – penetrating ever more and more deeply into us. So that when we speak of a person being anointed of God we are at the very least saying here is a person on which has been placed the hand of God.

It is surely this that makes the great difference to our Christian lives and testimony. Having the hand of God upon us.

Is this anointing something that God arbitrarily gives to some and not others?
It is true he alone can give what is needed but let us understand we may all come before almighty God and seek from him a fresh anointing upon our life.

To fully understand by way of experience this anointing we realise that it is about God’s power upon us, controlling and taking over. It therefore means that we have to be prepared for a full and total surrender to God and to his power.

I wonder if this is one of the reasons why many of us seem to have little of Gods’ anointing – God’s hand upon our life! We are afraid to let go and fully surrender ourselves to His purpose and power. We choose instead to remain in control.

How desperately sad when we have had glimpses of what the anointing of God upon a person can achieve. How sad when such anointing is desperately needed if we are to win a dying world to Jesus.

I exhort you to come  humbly before the Great Anointer and being truly bowed in his presence and emptied of all pride and selfishness, confess your sin and your need and seek with all you are and have that anointing of God whereby you may be such a channel of blessing to those around us.