W is for Witness

witness (noun):

1. a person who sees an event first-hand or provides evidence
2. someone who has personal knowledge of something
3. someone who is asked to be present at a particular event and sign their name in order to prove that things have been done correctly

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

If Your Presence...

Lord, if your presence does not go with us,
Please do not send us up from here.
How will anyone know we are your people
Unless you go before us?

Lord, if your favour does not rest on us
We dare not move beyond this place,
How will anyone know we go in your name
Unless your blessing is over us?

CHORUS:

So we stand within your presence,  
And humbly seek your grace;
Father Almighty, Jehovah, Saviour,
We long to meet you face to face.
Let your glory fall upon us,
Convict, inspire, provide;
Father Almighty, Jehovah, Saviour,
Your holy presence is our guide.

Lord if your presence does not stay with us,
Please do not send us up from here.
How will anyone hear of truth and goodness
Unless your Word speaks through us?

Lord, if your presence is not love in us
How can we minister your grace?
How will anyone feel your tender mercy
Unless your heart is in us?

CHORUS

Words based on Joshua 3:5 & Exodus 33:12-19 (Music by Yvonne Field)

R is for Regeneration

We hardly ever hear the term "regeneration" in our churches nowadays. You are more likely to hear it on Doctor Who!

Another way of talking about regeneration is talking about being "born again." Here's a more familiar term to our modern ears. A work of the Holy Spirit, the term speaks of a spiritual transformation where the believer is radically changed, becoming someone new. Without that spark of the divine, a person is spiritually dead, but God steps in and makes that person spiritually alive.

He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.
Ezekiel 37:3-5

Fill Me

Yesterday was Pentecost: the birthday of the church. The anniversary of the day the Holy Spirit came. And we were reminded during our church meeting yesterday that you and I can often consider ourselves as small and insignificant. Just like an uninflated balloon. Lifeless, insignificant. Not much to look at.

However, if we take that balloon and fill it - just like God did to his people at Pentecost, filling them with His Holy Spirit - they can be transformed. They are fully rounded, beautiful to look at. They are filled with life.

But there's more that just an outward appearance. These balloons are also filled with power. Untie it and let the balloon go, and the power is released. With tremendous force. In fact, we never know exactly where the balloon is going to go, but we know it’s going somewhere.

And this is the part of yesterday's meeting that has particularly stayed with me. If we release a balloon, and it flies away, it can end up anywhere. The point is this: God did not fill those first disciples with the power of the Holy Spirit so that they could just stay behind locked doors. They were empowered by God’s Spirit to move out into the world in order to make a difference. It happened then. And it still happens today. 

When the power of the Holy Spirit is released in our lives, we may not always know where the Spirit is going to lead us. We just need to trust that it's where God's Spirit wants us to go. 

And unlike the balloon, we can be constantly filled and refilled with the Holy Spirit. Filled with power, filled with life.

Fill Me. 

M is for More Love, More Power

Written by Jude Del Hierro in 1987; a interesting song emphasising the power which flows out of passion. There are two Greek words which are often used in the New Testament for power:

Exousia (ex-a-see-a) (Acts 1:7) - meaning authority.
Dymanis (do-na-miss) (Acts 1:8) - meaning power (from which we get the word 'dynamo').

Acts 1:7-8(NIV)
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Trust Your Intuition? - part two

Well, then. Some of you might remember my post from a couple of months ago. There's a link to it here. So, as a Christian, should I trust my intuition?

This is where I am getting mixed messages from some of the sources that I am reading. Some say no (your human intuition is flawed, don't follow it) - while others say yes (your intuition is a gift from God meant to help you and to complement any other gifts you may have).

I'm particularly aware of this topic at the moment, I am in the process of exploring spiritual gifts with the church and am reading a lot about gifts at the moment. I've also had a recent experience where some pretty loud 'alarm bells' went off in my head when I was doing a particular task. So intense was the experience I was quite rattled for nearly a full day by the experience and nearly a week later I'm still trying to work out what exactly that means to me personally...

I know from recent experience that there are times my 'intuition' tells me to flee when I know deep down that I really shouldn't. However, I have to give due consideration for these inner warnings which are there to protect me. Instead, I stand my ground; fighting that instinct to flee; struggling through despite that sense of inadequacy. I step outside of my comfort zone. That sort of thing.

Christians won't need reminding that we already have guidance available to us. God's Holy Spirit there to guide us. And herein lies a dilemma.

How can I tell if these feelings are the Holy Spirit’s prompting or my own intuition talking - a feeling that some people tell me is so often wrong?

I know that it is a question of context. They tell me to pray; to test both elements against scripture (What does the Bible say about my situation? Does the prompting I feel line up with God’s word?).

And I do. And often the feeling gets stronger...

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (NIV)
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

Who am I?

A really deep question for today... one that follows a few days of prayer and soul-searching. Who am I?

I already know part of the answer. It's in my description at the side of this very blog:

A member of The Salvation Army; husband and father of two; fan of popular science fiction; seeker after truth.

Perhaps, I ought to take into account what I do for a living? Now, I am well aware that most people categorise people by their jobs. I've had a whole host of different roles over the last  twenty or thirty years - paid and unpaid - however I must admit that I don't think I 'fit' any one of these roles in particular. In fact, the phrase that best sums up my opinion are the words "I am a human being, not a human doing". So, I dismiss that. What I do isn't necessarily who I am. It's who I am that determines what I do.... So, who am I?

Let's add in to the mix what I have learnt about myself over the past year or two. Things about my own temperament, the things I am gifted in. And of course there are the darker aspects of my life. My moods, my base nature. What makes me tick. Or doesn't. My strengths, my weaknesses.

And then of course there are those things about me that I am aware of from my journey of faith. The fact that I am loved by God, my spiritual gifting that comes from Him. The indwelling and inspiration of God's Holy Spirit which encourages me to do things for Him and to carry on even when others tell me it's pointless. Even times where an act of self-sacrifice gave me a joy quite unlike anything I've ever experienced!

However, deep down under all of that I find there's still something else... Something I haven't discovered yet? Something that is so obvious that I've simply overlooked it? A missing piece to the jigsaw that I need to factor in.

Can't quite see it at the moment. Prayers welcomed.

Not The Comfy Chair

The words mentioned above refer back to the well-known 'Monty Python' sketch which featured a parody of the Spanish Inquisition. An odd way I know to introduce the subject for today's post: the concept of comfort in our everyday Christian lives. Bear with me a little...

You see, some people have a hard time coming to terms with some of the difficulties in following the Christian path, particularly when a number of scripture verses describe the Holy Spirit as a 'comforter'. They don't see anything comforting about it - in fact, the whole experience makes them most uncomfortable.

A dictionary definition of comfort:
"Experiencing physical well-being or relief; free from stress; having or affording peace of mind."

Okay, let's look at that word 'comforter' a little deeper. The Greek word used here for the Holy Spirit here is parakletos , which etymologically means "called to one's side." In fact, that where we get the English word 'paraclete' (a word that is not in common usage but which I really like). Modern English translations prefer to use the words "comforter", "helper" or "advocate". Incidentally, the Hebrew version of the word is to be found in Job 16:2 in the plural, referring to the "comforters" who came to Job when he was in distress. Not very comforting, were they?

The word 'comforter' then isn't anything to do with rest or ease - it's more about encouraging you in your quest for truth. Helping you along. Steering you the right way. Lifting you up to greater things. Giving you peace of mind that you're on the right path.

As far as I am concerned, part of that 'comfort' is an encouragement not to sit there at home, but to be out there in the community, out of my comfort zone.

And not sitting in the comfy chair.

Deep Calls Unto Deep

Psalm 42:7-8 (New International Version)
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.

Suddenly the words jumped out at me in my daily reading this morning. “Deep calls unto deep.” I scrambled for my web browser, desperate to read more about this. Psalm 42; the NIV translation is quoted above.

These words were written about a very challenging situation. The pressures of life were pounding the writer relentlessly, to the point of overwhelming him.  All that he had to rely on was an assurance that God had something much better for him. Even in the most horrible of situations, those who know God have a source of comfort and hope that will pull them through.

Deep calls unto deep. Despite the outward pain, our Heavenly Father can provide a deep resource of love that is more than sufficient to overcome. And, following Pentecost Sunday, I know that resource is dwelling deep with me. It's right at hand.

And that's awesome.

Thoughts On Brotherhood And Suffering

Philippians 3:7-11 (New International Version, ©2011)

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

This weekend has been a real eye-opener. Saturday saw me attending a men's fellowship conference day in Romford, which was really good to attend for a number of reasons. The main thing I brought back from that day is the importance of sharing and receiving comradeship within a church fellowship - which in the context of men's ministry represents a supportive brotherhood. I really warmed to this idea, having been brought up as an only child and therefore lacking the benefit of brothers. I spent a good part of the subsequent evening getting this into context, reviewing all those 'fraternal' relationships I had experienced in my life, and in particular since becoming a Christian in 1988.

Today, the Spirit really moved me during the morning meeting at the Corps. Bullseye, a hit dead centre. Zoe was preaching on Philippians 3 at the time, with the words about 'participation in His sufferings' resounding within me. Words cannot adequately express how I felt, but it was powerful.

In trying to unpack my own feelings on this topic this afternoon, this led me to a study on koinonia, the English version of the Greek word κοινωνία that refers to the sort of fellowship experienced by members of the early church, starting from Acts 2. These Christians were united together in love, faith, and encouragement. Identifying with Christ's own sufferings, they bore each others burdens as they lived and worked together. They kept going and didn't give up. Could the reading from Philippians from this morning have something to do with those thoughts on fellowship/brotherhood from Saturday? I think so.

I'll end this entry with words from Graham Kendrick's song 'Knowing You', which speaks of the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus as a foundation to Christian service. The song is inspired from Philippians, with the third verse being based on this particular passage:-

Oh, to know the power of Your risen life,

And to know You in Your suffering,

To become like You in Your death, My Lord,

So with You to live and never die.

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You.

There is no greater thing.

You're my all, You're the best,

You're my joy, My righteousness;

And I love You, Lord.

(Graham Kendrick, Copyright © 1993 Make Way Music)

Soldiership - part one: the Holy Spirit

When signing their Articles of War, prospective Soldiers of The Salvation Army are confirming that they have "accepted Jesus Christ as [their] Saviour and Lord", and that they "now by God's grace enter into a sacred covenant". There then follows a series of statements which form part of their covenant agreement, the first of which is:

"I will be responsive to the Holy Spirit's work and obedient to His leading in my life, growing in grace through worship, prayer, service and the reading of the Bible. I will make the values of the Kingdom of God and not the values of the world the standard for my life."

I am very clear in my own mind that it was the prompting of the Spirit of God that led me to my own commitment at the Mercy Seat those many years ago. Salvationists often say they are 'chosen to be a soldier' (see 2 Timothy 2:4) and that was particularly so for me. I responded to His prompting, was obedient and made my commitment. That's where my particular adventure began, as I tried to explore where God wanted me; what He wanted me to do. After some exploration of various avenues of service, what has become very clear to me is the fact that it's not about what you can do as a Christian, but who you can be...

The Spirit's leading is all very personal - your spiritual path is unique to you; truly a one-to-one relationship with the Almighty. Once you realise that, you gain a hunger for the Bible, as this essentially begins to become a personal love letter to you. And the adventure still continues...

Keeper Of The Flame

I'm blogging tonight in a pleasantly warm front room, beside a beautiful coal fire. Toasty warm! The kids are doing their homework, my wife Christine is sorting out her cross-stitch and I'm on the computer reflecting on the day. We've shut the sub-zero temperatures outside.

Yesterday's meeting at the Army was led by Major Howard Webber from THQ and was based on Leviticus 6:8-13. As part of his message he talked about the difficulty in keeping a fire burning. This certainly spoke volumes to Chris and I, who have coal-fired central heating here at home. In fact, I've been thinking about for most of the day today, where I have struggled to and from work through sleet and snow. Having a coal fire is a definite pain to maintain in the morning but I have been encouraged by Chris's running commentary during the day on how she's kept the fire going. Her work today to keep it alight has not only meant I have arrived home to a warm house, but has demonstrated the very message the Major preached from the platform yesterday!

As Christians, we believe that the fire of the Holy Spirit can indwell us and inspire us. However, it needs attention on a regular basis, otherwise if left alone it will go out! Without care and attention the fire within us will slowly die, until we are cold and useless. Properly maintained, a small spark can be fanned into a flame, which can keep us warm and effective - and can even be used to light other fires!

One last reflection now, from my childhood. Comics fans from the Sixties and Seventies will remember Stan Lee's acronym for those fans who recruited another to Marvel Comics fandom. Stan The Man gave us the right to add the initials KOF to our name - for 'Keeper Of The Flame'. It's thirty years later, and I find I'm still keeping the flame. And I am encouraging my family and friends to do so, too.

Psalm 18:28 (NIV)
"You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."