Monday 16 July 2012

No seasonal fruit here: it's perpetual


No seasonal fruit here: it's prepetual
In season and out: shine
In season and out: treasure to be found
In season and out: Word, work and wonders
In season and out: Knowing God and making God known 

A call for a church wide week of fasting and prayer (25 to 30 June) often sees people running for cover but God honours our paltry efforts as we voice and demonstrate our intent to journey towards finding the Father's heart and banging on the doors of heaven to unlock the healing well of salvation on which we are situated. HE responds with such love; speaks with clarity and encourages us with signs of fruit from the coming harvest.

Emerging miracle
As I bring together the seemingly random events from that week of prayer and fasting I clearly see Gods hand in the emerging cohesion in our initiatives to share the good news of Christ - in a loose and perhaps messy way our silos of "ministry" are coming down and for me as the blog writer this is the emerging miracle that emphasises the elements of many varied contributors and characters; bringing a menu of gifts and talents to create the whole. Equally inspiring is how Jesus becomes so real to those who participate in the way they are designed to do. Quite awesome really! (see also ALL are needed!) I sense it's very important for us not to see the treasure hunt in isolation - but in effect part of an emerging miracle of prayer, fasting, evangalism, discipling, Sunday fellowship/teaching and preaching coming together to give us a glimpse of how the "kingdom on earth" could/should operate.

At our Saturday morning treasure hunt (30 June) the Father prepared us through scriptures, pictures and tips that reinforced the knowledge of His presence and intent. The Father showed us that as believers we are as crystal glasses (the expensive type); gently hand washed by Christ Himself - ready to shine & indeed sparkle with His light and life. We got the sense that the Father really wanted us to feel secure and succeed and two scriptures were given as promises to us to give to those we were to meet. Treasure found (devine appointments made & kept) - there were just too many to actually mention by name as we were literally back to back with people wanting prayer (yes, just coming to the door of H4G) and finding our teasure on the streets and homes.

Isaiah 43 (16 to 21) (NKJV): ............ “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honour Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.

Psalm 30:5 (NKJV): For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

First fruit: is a very churchy word - especially in an urban modern context where we can get fruit and veg on our shelves in season and out - BUT in season and out treasure was found on our high street! Some just came to the door asking for prayer! (See also Prepare for the Spring)

The love of Christ was shared with many, prayers said, divine appointments were clearly evident AND then flowing into Sunday - three Alpha course attendees came to the morning meeting.  One gave testimony to first sign of healing in his right knee, one decided to follow Jesus and one committed to joining in with a house-group. 

A word given that day continued to highlight the Father's heart for us to shine. He has lifted our burden through the work of the cross, He strengthens us through the power of His Holy Spirit and HE calls for us to lift up our heads - for the church to arise and "as the darkness gets darker, the light will shine brighter! We must not become discouraged, frustrated and worried about missing Gods plan. Quite oppositely, we must let our roots establish themselves in this season, pushing down until they tap into the living waters of the Holy Spirit. (See also Open the doors)  

Joy

No seasonal fruit here
In season and out: shine
In season and out: treasure to be found (Treasure to be found)
In season and out: Word, work and wonders
In season and out: Knowing God and making God known