Seeds of Revival….in February

Hi everyone – in February we are providing some special opportunities to get together for Declaration Prayer, Worship, Teaching and Proclamation, Ministry and Healing. Please do plug into as much as of this as you are able, we sense it is a time to press into all the Lord is doing and we want you to be part of it! We are seeing it as a month for sowing Seeds of Revival.

1) Next week we are holding Two evenings of Declaration and Prayer (Tuesday and Friday) at Rose Cottage unless otherwise informed – an opportunity to lay hold of the promises and prophetic words which have been given to us individually and corporately, and to pray them into being through declaring what God has already spoken. Remember, the words we speak come from the overflow of our hearts and have the power of life and death!

2) From Monday 1st February we are beginning another Negativity Fast, and would urge you to join us as we did last year. The feedback then was incredibly positive (no pun intended!) and seemed to impact people more than we or they imagined!

3) From Sunday 21st through to Friday 26th – we are planning to gather for consecutive nights of testimony, (possibly baptisms) worship, proclamation, releasing the Spirit and healing. Giles and I will be involved but we have also invited several others to join us for part of that week. We really want to just gather and see what God will do as we worship Him and release His Presence among us in faith. Expect good things and just come to as much as you can. Looking forward to seeing you amidst all God will do!

4) Finally, what is a Negativity Fast I hear some of you ask? Well this is what I wrote last year:

Want to increase your Faith?

I am inviting you to join me on a Negativity Fast beginning on the first of the  month. Just think how our lives could be changed if we thought more like Jesus……it will help us break old habits of criticism and build new one’s of honour and encouragement.

Steve Backlund (a friend and mentor from Global Legacy) says this: ”As a senior leader, I was tempted much to dwell on the negatives (unresolved situations, uncertainties, personal struggles, etc). This negative dwelling was the default on my personal ‘computer.’ One thing that caused breakthrough was to go on a negativity fast.”

40 Day Negativity Fast - Igniting Faith in 40 Days

What a Negativity Fast is Not:
1. It is not denying that problems exist
2. It is not “stuffing things” that are wrong
3. It is not critical of others who may be struggling
4. It is not irresponsible concerning things that need to be done

What a Negativity Fast Is:
1. It is determining to focus more on God’s promises than on problems
2. It is learning to speak with hope about even the toughest of issues
3. It is becoming “solution focused” rather than “problem focused”
4. It is refraining from reacting, giving voice to pessimism, criticism of others, self-criticism and other forms of unbelief.
5. It is speaking about problems to the right people in the right way
6. It is replacing negative words & thoughts with positive words & thoughts based on the promises of God

Go on, give it a go! 

Testimonies and Stories of God’s Goodness

Achilles injury healed!
Sunday February 7, 2010

This morning there were several words of knowledge for people given during worship. In response to one of them a friend was healed of an achilles injury which could only be rectified through surgery. The injury was healed and the lump disappeared. We are expecting news of more healings from this morning as we continue to grow in our understanding of living in the Kingdom of God. The church is rising up!

The Power of Words spoken from the heart
February 4, 2010

In this past week we have heard two great stories of how God is working among our friends. One couple have been making declarations of God’s Goodness for some weeks now in the middle of facing a really hard time financially. Last week, out of the blue, they were handed a substantial amount of cash which was a real help to them. They believe it came as a direct result of trusting God and declaring that He would provide for their needs in every way this year! He is changing our mindsets of how He works. He is faithful and He is good!

The second one involves another couple of our friends who were not at all sure about the whole concept of making declarations in order to speak truth to their minds. However, after suddenly getting understanding of this began declaring specific things about God’s goodness and kindness. A close family member had been diagnosed with cancer but after further tests last week was found to be cancer free! Amazing! He is good, He is powerful and His love endures forever!

To What Can We Compare The Father’s Love?

Andrew has been talking to us about the goodness of God, and how we have only just begun to understand it.

I believe one of the reasons Jesus tell us to call the Lord God, Father, is to give our mortal minds an illustration of His heart and character.

In an age and society where a Father’s love for there child was clearly visable ever day, it served as a powerful illustration.

Saddly today many people are not fortunate enough to have experienced and know the unconditional love that a Father has for his child.

Some have never known their father, some suffered a troubled relationship with them, and still others have experienced abuse at their hands.

Sometimes despite the best efforts of our fathers, we still carry around with us a distorted view of what a father is really like.

So how can we know Father God, if we do not have the currect picture of what it means to be a dad?

Watch this video below, and witness the love of a dad for his son.

Do you not think we are just like this beloved son, weak and helpless, yet  pushed, pulled, carried and borne long by a loving Dad, so that we will complete our race and obtain the prize?!

Psalm 139

O LORD, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me.

    You know my downsitting and my uprising; You understand my thought afar off.

    You sift and search out my path and my lying down, and You are acquainted with all my ways.

    For there is not a word in my tongue [still unuttered], but, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

    You have beset me and shut me in–behind and before, and You have laid Your hand upon me.

    Your [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it.

    Where could I go from Your Spirit? Or where could I flee from Your presence?

    If I ascend up into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (the place of the dead), behold, You are there.

    If I take the wings of the morning or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

    Even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.

  God bless you all

Some Exciting Things Happening!

Hi everyone – some exciting things are happening amongst us. We heard only this week that Malcolm was healed when he was prayed for several weeks ago of a stomach complaint he has suffered for nearly 2 years. He gave me permission to share this with you. Praise God for His goodness.

On Thursday night we had a pretty amazing time in Kempsey with our friends there. We were enjoying Father and having fun in His Presence when one of our friends began to be healed of ‘Tennis elbow’ syndrome! She was immediately at least 70% better and able to move her arm, lifting it over her head without pain which she previously had not been able to do! The other exciting thing about this is that no-one had even prayed for  her! It just happened as God’s Presence was released among us. We believe she will receive total healing.

Then at almost the same time here in Twerton, some of our folk were praying for Barrie. He had been diagnosed with badly damaged nerves and tendons in his hand. He would have given it a 9 out of 10 for pain. As he was being prayed for, most of the pain left and went down to a 1 out of 10 and he has been pain free ever since!!!!! Amazing!

Today (Sunday) some of us went to another church to share and gold glitter began to appear on the backs of the seats as we were worshipping. Some of us noticed it happening but didn’t share it widely. I only saw it when people were clearing up and more appeared on the back of Giles’s hand as he was praying for someone. There were one or two people receiving healing as well and there was a wonderful sense of God’s Presence as we were led into worship.

God is so good and we are learning to work with Him.

There are a number of places globally where there have been recent (and still current) outbreaks of the glory and Presence of God. Many are being healed, saved, set free and becoming passionate for Jesus. His Presence is moving in the earth. Lord let your kingdom come here! We are hungry for more of you!

Keep pressing in, it’s a time to adjust the sails!

Key Cultures to Develop in 2010

In everything we need to pursue and nurture intimacy with God, and a passion for His Presence

And remember: the secret of holiness is not in trying to be holy – that only leads to legalism  and empty religion. Rather it is in becoming one with Him through faith and love – which leads to Christlikeness. It is in remaining in Jesus and nurturing friendship with Holy Spirit. The secret of Godliness is this: He appeared in a body! (see 1 Tim 3:16)

“Holiness is not a principle to be practiced but a Presence to be pursued”

Along with this here are some cultures (the mindsets, beliefs and practices which shape our lifestyle) which we need to build and develop this year.

1. An increasing Belief in The Goodness of God - “The Lord is good to all” (cf Ps 145:9, Matt 5:45)

Many of us don’t believe God is as good as He really is! We still think he gives us bad things for good reasons……But it is that belief in His Goodness that is foundational for authentic Living in the Kingdom, and for moving into all that He has for us        It is understanding this that creates Hope and Joy along with confidence in His desire and ability to change things for our good and His glory. Without a true understanding of the goodness of God our view of Him is stymied…..

We have a good Dad….who doesn’t do, or give bad things, is not moody, and does not motivate us by guilt. He only gives good things so if something bad happens we need to understand it is coming from somewhere else and not Him. Indeed, He only has good things to give. (cf Matt 7:7-11)

The Joy of the Lord is our strength and a confident Hope in the goodness of God releases that Joy. Our Hope is based on the understanding that God really is ‘gooder’ than we think, He genuinely rejoices over us, and passionately wants the best for us.  Psalm 27:13 “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”        Psalm 33:5 “His goodness is abundant”

http://www.lifeandgodliness.org/module_data/file_manager/news/Stuart Scott — The Goodness of God (NANC outline).pdf Make daily Declarations about the Goodness of God (See Resources Page)

2. A Culture of Honour - The first commandment with a promise is Eph 6:2 “Honour your Father and mother……that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth”                   “Honour one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10)

Honour is at the very heart of God’s nature. It is super abundant in HIm and flows freely in the relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit…. so much so that when God creates inHis own image He creates family/community…and one that is oiled by the honour and Love that flows between its members.

A True reflection of God must include honour. To represent the heart and nature of God we must learn how to honour others as He honours within Himself eg as true friends with no competition, criticism or superiority, just a simple desire to honour the other.

Someone helpfully said this: “Never look down on someone unless you are about to lift him up” and this I think helps us to understand what giving honour means. A good definition might be ‘to lift up another and celebrate them for what God has made them to be, recognising the value He places upon them’

What would it be like to live in a world where people lived for others as well as themselves? Where there was an absence of criticism and only a genuine desire to lift up and encourage? Where the elderly were honoured instead of degraded and where children could play in safety without fear? - it has to begin here in the community of the saints. “By this shall all men know you are my disciples, that you have love for one another ” – Jesus (John 13:36)

A community or family that lives together with love and honour is the place where God Himself loves to live! Let’s find ways this year to creatively honor others daily and lift them up, and in so doing attract His Presence.

3. A Spirit of Generosity - “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt 10:8)     “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” ( Luke 6:37-38)    “ One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. ” (Prov 11:24)

“There are three kinds of givers — the Flint, the Sponge and the Honeycomb…. to get anything out of a flint you must hammer it. And then you get only chips and sparks. To get water out of a sponge you must squeeze it, and the more you use pressure, the more you will get. But the honeycomb just overflows with its own sweetness. Which kind of giver are you?”

If we are to overflow with generosity then first we must know God’s goodness and ability to provide for us. Isaiah 58 encourages us to sow seeds into the very need we have ourselves eg for healing. Whatever we sow we will reap. As we do this in faith, trusting God, then our own healing and provision will appear.

Note: We can do more together than we can alone and that includes the realm of finances. Whatever we do together is going to cost money. This year we want to push further into God’s purposes in training, equipping and releasing. Accommodation requires money, Training requires money, Resources require money. Giving financially is a strategic move! Please consider what you are giving to the vision and what the Holy Spirit is asking you to do – it is actually a good health check. “When God touches your heart He also touches your pocket!” (Anon) “You cannot serve God and money” - Jesus

“You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.”   “Plenty of people are willing to give God credit, yet few are willing to give Him cash.” We will create opportunities for corporate acts of generosity in the months to come. Please let God speak to you about the part you can play. Generosity breaks the spirit of poverty.

4. A Life of Miracles - We are born for a Supernatural Lifestyle. “Let your Kingdom Come, Your will be done on Earth as in Heaven” (Matt 6:10)

We have been learning that a family of believers is created for the purpose of being a Gateway bringing Heaven to Earth. In the TV series, Stargate Atlantis is a porthole that people can walk through and enter into another world . Likewise people should be able to walk into our relationships and gatherings and by doing so touch another world or realm where the powers of the age to come are breaking through. So how can we increase in this?

a) Share stories of God’s Goodness in healing and provision. It provides a legal precedent for more “A testimony is a legal standard that sets a precedent for more of the same” - Bill Johnson. The bible is a book full of stories and testimonies which create faith that God will do it again!

b) Drink in and Release the Goodness of God – getting so soaked in His Presence that we leak His goodness over those we meet.

c) Understand and Practice the Power of Declarations – in short, making Declarations in line with God’s heart “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Prov 18:21) and we as God’s children have the authority to stop bad things and release the goodness of Heaven by the power of our words and declarations coming with faith from our hearts. (See Matthew 16:33)

d) Fast from Negativity - the antidote to fear, disappointment and destructive thinking is to believe and speak out the goodness and love of God, making  a choice to be full of positive faith and joy, receiving His mercy and grace. During February we are going to corporately share in a Negativity Fast. Join us, it will do you good and help create an atmosphere of hope in which miracles are made!

How Do You Know You Are Saved?

This is a message by Paul Washer of Heart Cry Missionary Society.

It is only 4 min 14 seconds long.

It is well worth watching!

Witness on George Street

This is an amazing testimony, and it is sure to get you inspired!

Bless you all

Love Ben

Something to keep remembering

I just thought I would share this video and song I came across.

It is extremely hard-hitting so be warned!

If you listen to the words and respond to the truth of them, it might help produce a radicle change in how you live your life and how you choose to follow the Lord Jesus.

I found this a huge personal challenge, and it brought me rudely in to the reality of how much further I have to go to be an imitator of Christ.

As it says ”Be perfect as Your Heavenly Father is perfect” and ”Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience”.

Thank you Lord for your patience and grace, help me to do better and change me into the likeness of Your Son Jesus

Weekly Meeting

Dear All,

Happy Christmas, and every blessing in the New Year.

Joy and I will be continuing to hold weekly meetings at our home in the New Year.

The meetings however have now been moved to Fridays, starting at 19.30 hrs, so as to avoid any clashes with other gatherings.

The first meeting of the year will be on the 8th January.

Everyone is welcome, and it would be great to see you for a bit of fellowship, as well as prayer and worship to our Lord Jesus.

We  encourage everyone to bring something to share ie: a word, thought, scripture, prophecy, testimony song, picture, home-made cake  etc. You are amongst family so there is no need to be shy!

If you feel unable to bring anything, then just bring yourselves, that will be blessing enough for us.

Another good reason to come is that we share the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus each time we meet, so come and share in the New Covenant with us, and let the Lord Bless you!

Look forward to seeing you in the new year

Ben and Joy

Christmas in a Nutshell – Have a really good and meaning-full one!