A Church with a Heart for our Community

October 22nd Tuesday

Greetings to you in the name that is wonderful and powerful and transformative, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! Wow! what a  lovely day in the Kingdom – a day that He has made for us, that He has given us life, a day that He wants us to enjoy, a day in which we can give thanks to Him for…oh yes! what a lovely day! I trust that you had a good weekend and Monday – with blessings and opportunities and moments of rest and encounters with your heavenly Father. Today I will be praying for, asking Father to release a fresh infilling of Holy Spirit with joy, laughter, healing, and shalom-peace.

Well – here we are the day after the federal election…perhaps wondering what happens next. There were a lot of prayers that surrounded this election as we asked God to take control over the outcome. I am aware that the outcome was not what many expected because their party and/or candidate was not successful…but we did ask for God’s will to be done and we did acknowledge Jeremiah 29:11…”You have plans, good plans for us!” So can we do less than say “thank-you” and give Him our praise, our worship. This morning the very first words in my devotions was – While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, Don’t be afraid, just believe.” – Mark 5:35-36 NIV. 

Let me rephrase that just a little, After the votes had been counted, the media said to the church…The results are in and the winner has been declared…why bother God anymore with your prayers?” Hearing these taunts, God whispered to the church, “Don’t be afraid and don’t stop praying! Keep believing that I am at work behind the scenes!” 

Now, let me give you the next prophetic proclamation: The season ahead is a time for cleansing from old disappointments. We cannot carry this baggage into a new era. Therefore, Holy Spirit is initiating a movement of cleansing from old disappointments so we can come into the hew with a fresh slate and without remorse, guilt and shame so we can be the Hope Ambassadors He intends.

Yesterday was our Monday prayer gathering and one of those in attendance told how much they had enjoyed the time and had experienced God’s presence touching them in very unique and personal ways. They were so glad that they had come, as they really didn’t want to come…just didn’t feel like it. We had a little smie about it but later I recalled the words of Psalm 122:1 I was overjoyed when they said,”Let’s go up to the house of the Lord.” The Passion Translation. And in the verses following they describe the experience. Now, I wondered to myself…if God truly blessed you when you didn’t want to come…didn’t feel like it – can you imagine what the experience might have been like if you wanted to be there, were looking forward to it?

Just some things to think about…be blessed!