Remain in Me & Paitence Happens!!

Cummune with God this week  -  Remain with him - do nothing with out him

Some verses to remind us of God's patience with us and to us:

2 Peter 3:15   Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation,
1 Timothy 1:16  Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

NEH 9:17 But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them

If we remain connected with Jesus and His spirit lives in us and we keep in step with his spirit - His patience will flow out of us:
We will see patience fruit -  GRACE, COMPASSION, SLOW TO ANGER, ABUNDANT LOVE

I have chosen you to go and bear fruit!!!

Stay Close

Reading through Jeremiah at the moment the thing that strikes me is how often the people of Israel forgot God. As they forgot God they drifted off and went of in their own ways into a world of idolitory.

The shepherd and sheep picture is so prevalent in the Bible. There is this sense from this picture that God says to his people  "stay close lest you stray" The 60/30 challenge is a way of staying close.

Fruit Happens - Remain in me

Jesus Said, "I'am the vine - you are the branches. If you remain in me - you will bear fruit" John 15

The Fruit of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace Paitence Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness and Self Control

If we stay connected with Jesus and the Holy Spirit  -  Fruit Happens!!
But we also remember Jesus words - "Apart from me you can do nothing!"
In Mathew 7 Jesus also talks about a tree bearing fruit with quite starteling comments (have a read!!).
He alludes to people being able to do all sorts of amazing things - prophecy, miracles, drive out deamons - and still not be connected to Him!!  Braches that maybe looking great - but not actually producing the fruit that God wants - because they are remaining with either themselves, or the world or evil rather than remaining in an intimate love relationship with Jesus Christ.

As we do this 60/30 challenge  - it's not about doing more stuff. Its about growing closer to God. Staying connected in a living relationship with Jesus 24/7. Talking, listening and obeying over and over and over again.  Walk and talk with your savior

Gifted to GO or STAY

As we work our way through the book of Acts we see a church where God has gifted some to Go out and be missionaries and plant churches and preach the gospel in new places. But there ar also others (probably more of these people) who have been gifted to stay. People who live life in their local church and they, encourage, give, pray, administrate, be hospitable... 

Often its the people with the upfront or highly visible gifts that seem to be put in the spot light. Thats why I love reading Romans 16 and seeing all the unkown people who are helping Paul with his mission to the gentiles and church planting.

This is wher we see the truth of ephesians 4 and 1 Cor 12 and how the church opperates as a body. With some highly visible parts and others unseen - but we must all work together to see the continued growth of the church.

How has God gifted you and where is he calling you to serve?  Pray this week that he would reveal these things to you.

God's Words in and out of us

I will put my words in his mouth he will tell everything I command him

Duet 18

 I will pour out my spirit on all my people

Your sons and daughters will prophesy

Young men will see visions

Old men will dream dreams

Even on my servants both men and women I will pour out my spirit in those days and they will prophesy.

Acts 2:18

God continues to speak - Primarily through the Bible - but also through us as God's spirit works in and through us to reveal his truth. Jesus says to his disciples in John 16

But when he the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you in all truth. He will not speak on His own, he will only speak what he hears and He will tell you what is yet to come.

As the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit I too belive that God can reveal his truth through us. It never goes beyond scripture but can powerfully speak to the lives of people. The gift of prophecy is still active today in the life of the church, let us continue to be the chanell for God to speak.
 
Ask him today who you are to build up and encourage
Who do you need to send a bible verse too today - Ask God who and what?  and then have faith to act.
 
Remember the context of the use of any gift is love -  This is not about you  - It's from God for others!!
 

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 1 Cor 14:1

Spiritual Gifts

"Now about Spiritual Gifts I do not want you to be ignorant"

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good"

"Now you are the body and each one of you is part of it"

"Eagerly desire the greater gifts"

Here are four verses from 1 Corinthians 12 - Paul is pretty clear we are not ignor the gifts but actually pursue them, everyone has one or more and that they are for the good of the church.
Do you know what your gifts are?  Do they come and go?
The more I read and explore on spiritual gifts the greater the mystery becomes...
Is that just me - or is it God?   Is there a difference between natural talent and skills and gifts? are they for all times in all places? are some more important than others?

This month as we continue to explore the Holy Spirit in and out of us - will you we willing to find out more about gifts - in particular what you may be gifted with?  Network's course are being run in most small groups and even if you are not in a SG we a running a class on Tuesday nights - why not join us!!

Have aread through 1 Corinthians 12-14 
Please be in prayer for the church as we seek God on this and ask for his gifts to be poured out on His church.
Be in personal prayer - learn more, desire more - and use them more - 

That means serve with them -  ie they aer not for you - They are for the good of the church!!!
What good is coming to the church because you are using your gifts??

CHURCH ALIVE  -    LIVE CHURCH

Holy Spirit - a mystery

What does the Spirit Do? His works are ineffable in majesty and innumeral in quantitiy. How can we even ponder what extends beyond the ages? What did He do before creation began? How great are the graces He showered on creation? What power will He weild in the age to Come? He existed; He preexisted; He coexiste with the father and the son before the ages. Even if you can imagine anything beyond the ages, you will discover that the Spirit is even further beyond"  St Basil

The more I read about, speak about, experioance the Holy Spirits work the more I realise I can not comprehend God. There are just more questions? more mysteries? more wonder as I discover His otherness.

This being said I desire to know Him more, I long for him to transform me more, I desire for His gifts to be manifest more, I groan for his peace, I long for His power. God - Holy Spirit work through me for the glory of your name!!!