A Church with a Heart for our Community

July 25th Thursday

Greetings to you in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! Another beautiful morning in the Kingdom…and another opportunity to praise God and thank him for “new every morning” expressions of love, kindness, grace and mercy. We are instructed over and over again in God’s Word that our praises should be vocalised with passion and energy so that they manifest as weapons of warfare. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to so fill your being with thankfulness that it spills over into shouts of praise!

Yesterday at our noon-hour prayer gathering the first half our time was a simple sharing of God’s goodness as it related to answered prayer and divine coincidences. It was a very positive time and it made me aware that there is many ways that God has been working in lives that we seldom hear about because they seen rather small and insignificant. I have a sense that God doesn’t get enough credit for what He does in and around us. I am reminded of a phrase…the surest way to get God to work in your life is to acknowledge and thank Him for what He has already done.

However, in the midst of these thoughts God revealed that there are some folk around me who are struggling with burdens, facing life with a ‘heaviness’ and are feeling like … as the title of a rather new bible study – “It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way”. I have a personal understanding of this experience … many times in fact! There is no use trying to give an answer or some four step formula or a prayer that will instantly make things better. The only consistent thing that ever works for me is when God simply gives me His presence and I walk with Him. The journey is unique and so valuable and the outcome, the arrival at some undisclosed destination is well worth it. It may sound a little simple but the bottom-line is that I need moments of intimacy with God. It is where I do my best growing.

Recently, wonder of wonders, I came across two new songs that speak into my soul: “Hope has a name! His name is Jesus!” – River Valley and “Your Name is Power” – Rend Collective. In the song, ‘Your Name Is Power” – these thoughts are expressed:  You’re the only answer to the darkness-You’re the only right to every wrong-You’re the only hope among the chaos-You are the voice that calls me on … Your name is power over darkness…Your name is faithful in the battle … Your Name is power!

I agree with the thoughts … So he (God) allows for mystery and setbacks and obstacles so that you will seek Him – John Eldredge, Restoration Year. According to His Word, when we see His face He releases the Holy Spirit and when the Holy Spirit comes…power is released…when we seek Him, we find Him, when we find Him we receive from Him…and that changes everything. I know this to be true and as I consider those who right now…maybe its you…who are saying to yourself – “it isn’t supposed to be this way. This isn’t where I thought I would be” – there is hope, there is a name I can give you-Jesus-His name has power-His name is faithful in every battle!

Be blessed, dear one!