“ ³ and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. “

The Israelites had the benefit of the physical Ark of the Covenant, something to follow when God began to lead them. What would constitute the modern day equivalent? There is of course, a blueprint for the operation of the Kingdom Life System, but there is not much in the way of actual, physical direction forming decision-making guidance.

So much time is wasted waiting for this supernatural manifestation – angel voices, signs in the sky, remarkable events that speak with unmistakeable clarity saying “this is the correct decision, take it”. Rarely does it materialise, – this unmistakable voice in the bush (like the one that spoke to Moses in the early days!)

Experience has shown that the leading I seek comes more in the form of a confirmation of direction than the provision of it, with remarkable opportunities opening up once movement has begun – the decision to move, however and the initiation of that movement, has always, and will always be my responsibility

“Sure I can!!!!! By the way how are y……..?” The line had gone dead .

Later the phone rings again, “Hi, me again, thanks for helping with the meeting, it went so well. You couldn’t help me out this evening could you? We are at the in- laws for dinner, and you know what they can be like! Can you just have a word with them and just give them some pointers? Oh and if you can give me any advice on how to be patient, that would be great!”

“Sure, by the way, how was your day, what did you do and what have you learnt? Fancy hanging out for a bit?”

” Sorry, I’m a bit busy at the moment, must rush, will definitely have some time together soon though, promise. Bye”.

I don’t know about you but if that was my friend or family I would get pretty hacked off!!!!! Yet, this is so often what we do with God, we come to Him with our requests, which isn’t a bad thing, but in the process, miss out on the amazing gift of growing in our relationship with Him.

Jesus didn’t just come to Earth to free us from sin, though that would have been more than enough, he wanted to have relationship with us. We have access to this amazing thing, as it says in the bible:
By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. (Galatians 3:26 MSG).

We have access 24/7 to the Creator of the Universe, the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, the cost to call Him is free, Jesus has already paid the bill, so why not make it a long phone call???? You have unlimited minutes, downloads and I here you will never lose service.

“for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.” (Proverbs 3:26 NIV)

Bryant Wright: http://www.rightfromtheheart.org/

Because He was raised from the dead we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven – and the future starts now! Exciting prospect! Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given  to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who purposed to die for us; Jesus Christ. Through Him we have been given absolutely   amazing promises that enable us to participate and grow in the life of God. This is a love-story second to none. Our love expressed to everyone at all times is where God would have us – a Christ-like lifestyle. God’s work of art on display – Good News – seen and heard by all.

(A meditation derived mainly from Peter’s two letters in the Message Bible. Please read for more truth)

Principle: “Our church challenges mindsets”

Challenge: As followers of Jesus Christ we need to love what he loves, build what he builds and advance what He advances; by doing so we will build a church that declares God’s wisdom and purpose.

God always intended for His people to be different. The Church is the Bride of Christ, the representation of who He is and of His way of living…a way that is often counter-cultural to the way of the world.

In the Bible, God gave Israel the law to define them as His chosen people. He used the prophets of the Old Testament to help guide His people in a way that was right and good, a way that was unique and carried the blessing of God.

Yet, in the Gospels, something amazing happens. Jesus becomes THE WAY. Jesus says, “I am the WAY, the truth and the life.”

Jesus way is entirely counter-cultural. Christians are people who have chosen His WAY. He selflessly embodied sacrifice, announced hope, restoration and salvation to the poor and the needy and He commissioned the Church – you and I – to do the same.

As followers of Jesus Christ and members of His Church we must do as He would do and build what He builds. Our mission at it’s core is simple…Love God and love others.

Jesus is building His Church. He has chosen the Church to represent His WAY. The question for each of us personally is are we daily pursuing His WAY or our own way?

My prayer is that our Church would be a light in the darkness, a city on a hill, a people that would be known for living HIS WAY.

Brian Houston (Hillsong Church Senior Pastor) © Hillsong Collected. Used with permission from Hillsongcollected.com

We believe in one God, who created everything. We believe that He exists in three persons, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Three-in-One! He is completely Holy and completely loving, and completely just. (Deut 6:4, Mat 28:19, Mark 12:29)

We believe that we have all been separated from God and His purpose for our lives through sin – the act of living our lives our way, instead of His way. (Genesis 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)

We believe without doubt that Jesus Christ will return to the earth in the manner He described and that all of us, whether living or dead will be held accountable for the lives that we have lived. (Mat 16:27, Mat 24:30, Mat 26:64, Acts 1:11)

We believe in both Heaven and Hell. We believe that our eternal destiny is determined by our response to the Lord, Jesus Christ while we are alive. (Rev 20:10-15, John 3:16-21, Romans 1:16, 10:14)

We believe that Jesus is both God and man! We believe that He is the only One who can establish a relationship between us and God. We believe that, born to a virgin, He lived a life that was without error or fault. Because of this, He could offer His life to God on our behalf. He did this when He allowed men to crucify Him on the cross, shedding His blood as payment for our sin. Three days later, He rose from the dead to prove His victory and to offer forgiveness to anyone who believed in Him. We believe that Jesus left the earth to join His Father in Heaven and that the Holy Spirit came to the earth in His place. (Mat 1:23, 1 Peter 2:21-22, Acts 2:22, 10:38, Rev 20:1-6)

We believe that in order to establish a relationship with God on His terms, we need to agree with Him that the life we have lived to date has been out of His order, that Jesus Christ is who He says He is and that we submit to His way of doing and being right as we read it in the Bible. We believe that baptism is a public declaration that reflects this private decision. (Titus 2:11, 3:5-7, Romans 10:8-15, 1 Corinthians 15:3,4, Mat 28:19, Acts 10:47-48)

We believe that in order to live fulfilling lives that reflect our belief in God and add value to the lives of people around us, we need to respond to the Power of the Holy Spirit resident within us. This response will be evident to others as they see the fruit of our relationship with God and the evidence of His Power at work in our lives. His gifts and power are available to all who believe in Him. (Acts 1:6-8, 2:1-12, 2:44-47, 19:4-6)

We believe that each of us has worth and that God has given us what we need to achieve His purpose in our lives. We believe that His purpose is simple, that we should apply ourselves to loving Him and loving ourselves so that we can love other people. (1 Peter 1:14-16, 2 Corinthians 3:18)

We believe that God wants to transform our lives from the inside out. This transformation will cause us to grow, enabling us to contribute in a positive and constructive way to the lives of people around us. (Isaiah 53:4-5, 2 Corinthians 2:14, 1 John 3:2-10)

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be good anyway.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People need help but may attack you if you try to help them.
Help them anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and GOD.
It was never between you and them anyway.

(From a sign on the wall of Shishu Bhavan, a children’s home in Calcutta.)

It’s possible, read on:
“God has his answer to this seemingly hopeless situation. He has made it possible for us to be right and acceptable in his eyes. …Free from the guilt of sin and all condemnation, but only through faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness, this total acceptance by God, is his gift to all who believe in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. This is the work of his grace because Jesus gave his life for us on the cross. God even made his own son the perfect sacrifice that would restore us to unity with him. Only faith in the power of his blood is needed to cleanse us and make us right with GOD.”

[ extracts from Romans  3]

Don’t delay! Resolve right now to accept this grace-gift from God – eternal life.