Category Archives: angel

Nov 10 2012
1 Comment
angel, Bible, Christianity, Faith, Ivy Manchester Grow Group Notes, Jesus

Colossians 1 – Ivy Grow Group notes

I’m going to be kicking off a new evening series based on Paul’s letter to the Colossians tomorrow – and I’m really excited about the chance to dig in to one of my favourite books of the NT. It was written around 63 AD but it’s bang up to date for us

 

Read Col 1:1-8

Discuss: Here Paul lists the characteristics of an authentic, Christ-honouring church. Can you list them? 

 

Discuss: Paul writes about fruit that is the evidence of true salvation (compare Mt 13:23). If someone is not bearing this fruit – are they still a Christian? 

 

I’ve called our series ‘Inside Out’ because Paul is writing from prison to a church he didn’t found, but was a church plant started by one of his ‘spiritual sons,; Epaphras. Epaphras apparently had heard the Gospel of Christ from Paul at Ephesus and had taken this life-changing message back to Colosse (v. 7)

 

Colosse was in what today would be known as Turkey, in Paul’s day it was known as Asia Minor. Actually these days it doesn’t exist, by 400 A.D the city was gone, nobody’s even sure where its ruins are.

 

Anyway, one day Epaphras arrives from Colosse to visit Paul to tell him how it’s going there – and out of that comes this letter. And it’s a good report – as you see. Some great stuff, there – all because the WORD of TRUTH of the gospel had come.

 

 

Read Col 1:9-14

 

PRAY: Agree with this prayer and claim it for yourself, for your GG and for Ivy Manchester!

 

Then – as Paul did, pray for other churches known to you. You could even write to the Leader of that church and let them know you’ve been doing so and ask for prayer requests?

 

Discuss: Are you growing in knowledge of God? What does that entail for you? What’s the best way to grow like that?

 

Share: Is there an area you need more of God’s strength and power right now? How can the others in the group help?

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Nov 24 2010
1 Comment
angel, Bible, Christmas, dreams, Jesus, leadership, Manchester, Religion, Uncategorized

DREAMS that lead us to the Great Adventure!

I was meeting with a new friend today who asked me how I came to Manchester and I realised that I had promised way back to blog about the two dreams that helped provide a very clear call back here, but hadn’t ever done so – maybe because I just needed to be moved and well settled before doing so.

Looking back it’s clear now the Lord had actually been shaking us from a place and people we loved very much being in and belonging with. Today I had to uproot a tree stump and it took hours and much straining to get it out, I think God had to get the crowbar out to move us from Horsley.

I wasn’t looking for another job but sensed there might be something else, where I wouldn’t be restricted by parish boundaries – what David Pytches has called ‘The condom of the Church of England.’

I was at Premier Radio for a show and “just happened” to see the Senior Pastor role at ‘Ivy Cottage’ (as it then was) advertised in Youthwork magazine, it “just happened” to be on the coffee table and was in there as a freebie for them with Renewal magazine.

To cut a long story short I was invited to come and meet the Elders and they were – and are – warm, supportive, prayerful and loving. I drove up from West Horsley leaving a very upset wife who KNEW we shouldn’t be going anywhere and told me she suspected I had S.A.D. and needed to buy a sunlamp.

I prayed with the elders and then set off to the hotel I was staying in overnight. I got lost – Manchester had changed a lot since I was living here- and ended up at a petrol station in a rough looking part of the city, in a queue with several blokes who looked like they might roll me. I went back into Policeman mode and authoritative body language meant they backed off without me having to say anything. I drove away and said, ‘Thanks Lord for clear guidance – I never want to come back to live in this HORRIBLE city. I am so grateful for beautiful Surrey!’

I went to bed at the hotel feeling at least this was out of my system.
Then I had a dream:
A little girl, standing on a stool. Her mother stood next to her saying, ‘Oh you are SO beautiful! Look at that lovely face! One day everyone will see how gorgeous you are – you will be a model, a movie star, an international celebrity – because you are so beautiful!’ As she went on gushing, I stood watching thinking, “She really needs to get over it – that is NOT an attractive little girl, she has no chance of being a model.”Then I woke up.

And I knew the Lord was showing me how HE saw the city, and its people – and what I was doing was dismissing the potential he saw in the people he loved. I half repented – “Okay Lord, I won’t say anything bad about Manchester again, but Zoe’s right and I’m not coming here.”I slept better after that. Really well. Had another dream.

I was working hard in an office tower block. I knew I had to go up on the roof because something important was going to happen there. When I got on the roof lots of people in suits were looking up at the sky. A silver jet fighter plane appeared, doing ‘loop the loops’ – people cooed. I thought, “So what?” It stopped dead in the sky, then went backwards, people clapped. I thought, “Show off.” Then went back to work downstairs again. 

Some time later I went back on the roof. Mr. Silver Arrow was still entertaining the crowd, I wasn’t interested. Then the plane came down toward us at Mach 3, and stopped on its nose aerial in front of me. Next it slowly span round and round, perfectly balanced on the aerial.

None of this was rocking my world. Then the plane landed properly and its gull wing doors opened. A large white man in a dazzling white jumpsuit with buzzcut blond hair stood in front of me, “I want to talk to you.” We went inside and he sat opposite me at a table. 

“You’re not impressed are you?” 
“No, I don’t want to appear rude, but I’m not really into aeroplanes.” (This was weird as I do love flying, but it’s a dream, remember!)

“So, what does impress you?” Perfect blue eyes piercing me. 
“Well I am impressed when people do great things for God.”

“Such as?”

“Gandhi. Changed his nation. A man of peace.”

“Oh yes, I knew Gandhi – anyone else?”

“Martin Luther King Jr.”

“Why?

“Well he wasn’t perfect, but he freed a lot of people.” (a line from a song!)

“Yes, I knew Martin. Who else?”

“Billy Graham.”"Why him?”

“Longevity, Integrity. Impact.”

“Oh yes, I know Billy.”

I sat back in my chair. ”Hang on, you say you knew Gandhi and MLK and you know Billy Graham? Where do you know them from?”

The angel (for I believe t’was he…) said, “I appear at strategic times in people’s lives to tell them to get ready for their next step – of the great adventure.”

I woke up – in Manchester, and now I’m here – LIVING THE DREAM!

What about you? I referred briefly to these dreams in my recent BBC Radio 4 recording for ‘Beyond Belief’ – which I think is due to air December 13th on ‘The Supernatural.’

As we approach the Christmas season the nativity narratives are packed full of angels and dreams and the Lord getting his will done through them. Have you experienced this kind of guidance?

Or if you did, would you just shrug it off? I’m glad I didn’t, and I’m more glad that Joseph (for example) didn’t either. Mary needed someone man enough to follow his dreams.

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Dec 24 2009
angel, Bible, Prayer

A wonderful prayer for Christmas Eve

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.

Amen.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Nov 08 2009
2 Comments
angel, Bible, Comedy, dreams, Faith, Healing, Heaven, Jesus, Manchester, Prayer, Religion, REVIVAL, Theology, Uncategorized

Doug Addison on Prophetic Evangelism

What a great night at Ivy Manchester!
As promised – here are my notes from Doug’s teaching tonight.
The talk will be up on the church website for download in a couple of days.

People say ‘I’m spiritual, not religious’
The world has changed, evangelism hasn’t caught up.
This is an addition to the toolkit: Prophetic Evangelism. 2 scary words!
He’s been PRACTISING this for years.
If we have a good product, with eternal benefits – but people don’t want it, we need a marketing meeting!

We have had good intentions – but that’s not enough.
We have to become missionaries to the UK.
What do missionaries do? Figure out what people already believe. Study the language and the culture – fit the message into where people are. Not changing the message, just changing the way you share it.

Most people are open to Jesus, and to the power of God. We have to come up with ways to connect with people.
Today, if people are spiritual, that’s half way home – cos God is spiritual – and he’s in a good mood! He’s really into loving people.

People say, ‘Do you believe Jesus is the only way?’
(Jn 14;6) – how do they know that verse? Someone else told them – ‘How to get a Christian off your back.’
Because people value choice. They value making choices.
To connect, you don’t major in what they don’t believe; because they’ll shut you out & not listen to the rest.

Look at the context of John 14:6
He’s having a meeting with the insiders group there. Not his preaching message to the world.

There was a time when we just had to draw them back to their Christian memory, in most of our society, there’s no memory of Christianity.

So if they ask, emphasise the WAY: ‘You’re on your own journey, you need to find that out for yourself.’

Not everyone who followed Jesus believed in him.
We need to let people follow.
So when we hear from God (which we should – we got an upgrade a while back – the prophetic is back).

WAY – TRUTH – LIFE = a three step process.
Show them the way, the truth takes care of itself, & we end up leading them to life.

In NT – they were followers of the WAY. Show people the way!
Jesus at a wedding- doesn’t give them a message or a Messiah- gives them what THEY think they need – the wine.
Give them what they need, time, love, service.

Doug found that decisions don’t necessarily make disciples.
Used to be people would make a decision then get an experience. Now people now want an experience and then they make a decision.

Look up the encounters where Jesus & disciples met unbelievers –
Eg Jn 1:47f When Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward him, he said, “Here is a true descendant of our ancestor Israel. And he isn’t deceitful.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God and the King of Israel!”

How do you KNOW me?

2 words of knowledge. It’s not that tough – all he told him was, ‘you’re an honest man.’

Word of knowledge = something about now, that gets impact. Encouragement. Opens people up to the gospel.
Word of wisdom = something that sounds too smart to be you
Word of prophecy = something about the future.
If you’re in the shallow end, it’s only 2 kicks to the deep end. Anyone can give encouraging words from God. It’s so easy, you’ll think you’re making it up, until they start to cry.

1) Use the gift to find the people. Wait for one who looks open. ‘I just took a course in encouragement, can I try it with you?’
2) We’re much more anointed OUTSIDE than inside.
3) People need to be encouraged everywhere!

John 4:16
He’s been talking about worship. At Jacobs well.
Jesus told her, “Go and bring your husband.” The woman answered, “I don’t have a husband.” “That’s right,” Jesus replied, “you’re telling the truth. You don’t have a husband. You have already been married five times, and the man you are now living with isn’t your husband.”
Not judging here!
He’s finding something to COMMEND. She’s got a mixed up relational life, but he finds something to commend – she’s honest!

If the enemy is having a go at you – it’s because the Lord has a great destiny in line for you!

We see people being pushed down – but the Lord has a great destiny for them – what they need is the power of Spirit to live it out.

Think about a person in your life who really needs God the most. Someone messed up. Now picture them saved, and filled with the Spirit. What ministry would they be drawn to? Worship? Evangelism? Finance?
Pray for them, see them as God sees them – potential.
This is what Jesus was doing.
See yourself like this.

People these days are into reality tv.
2 types:
1) You’re voted out – mean spirit, negative,
2) Makeover shows. Positive.
We need to have extreme prophetic makeover. Pimp my life! Do things to encourage people.

It worked for Jesus. A lot of Samaritans in that town put their faith in Jesus because the woman had said, “This man told me everything I have ever done.”

Jesus was only ever angry at religious people who pretended to know God but didn’t love.

OLD WAY vs New Way
Program vs Organic
Head knowledge about Bible vs No bible value, but may still love god
Prove it vs Experience it
Jesus is the only way vs Choices
Must pray the prayer vs Prayed it- no change
Truth!! Vs Absolute truth
Get conversions! Vs want to be loved.

We have to walk with people. Become the Bible for them.

What people think of Christians
Judgemental, narrow minded, out of touch, irrelevant, intolerant, no fun. After your money.
That’s not us.
We have to redefine this, one person at a time.

Tipping point; Malcolm Gladwell. 30 people can cause great change.
Paul stayed 3 or 4 years in various people’s

MASH units
MOBILE, ARMY, SURGICAL, HOSPITALs.

We need to be churches like that. By love and encouragement.

1. Get the wall down- word of knowledge. Something positive. Dream. Practical. Kindness.

2. Go from head to heart – Notice things they value. Clothing, tattoos, piercings. Music. Ring tones.

3. THEIR felt needs. Loved, listened to, practical help.

FOCUS on their experiences, gifts, calling/ passions.

Jesus operated in all the gifts the disciples did.
You should. Holy Spirit toolbelt. Pull out what‘s needed.
Practice!
The more you practice any gift, the better you get.

God is speaking all the time. Find something positive in their lives, because God created them.

You are strategically placed – and you didn’t even know it.

It’s the still small voice – learn to trust it.

If you see the –ve over people, you get a check in your spirit = a discerning spirit. How do you use that?
You’re seeing satan’s will. Don’t tell them satan’s will. Tell the opposite. To destroy the works of the enemy: ‘I can see that you’ve been under attack, been through a rough time – but God…!’

FLIP IT!
The kingdom of God is extremely positive.

Put words of knowledge into a sentence that makes sense to them. “When I look at you I see…’

Go out in twos or threes. Encourage people, and if you’re able to – tell them about God. Col 4:4 Please pray that I will make the message as clear as possible. When you are with unbelievers, always make good use of the time. Be pleasant and hold their interest when you speak the message. Choose your words carefully and be ready to give answers to anyone who asks questions.

Be salty – don’t throw salt in their wounds. Not insider language. Don’t speak Christianese.

Honour the process. Coming to Jesus happens over time. Find out where they are. Ask fact finding questions.
‘You seem spiritual.’
- I grew up in church
- I pray all the time
- I mediate…
Gauge where they are at and meet them there.

There’s an ANGEL in evangelism.
We need to bring the angel back into evangelism. Be the angel.
Ask God for the supernatural encounters!

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Feb 06 2009
angel, Christianity, Church, dreams, Faith, Father God, Heaven, Jesus, leadership, prophecy, Religion, wisdom

God speaks through Dreams: Walking with the King

So often in my life God has spoken to me through dreams (either my own, Zoe’s or other people’s). It’s very biblical – just check out the nativity story! He’s provided direction, affirmation, confirmation and revelation while I was fast asleep.

Just looking through some old notes I was reminded of this dream which has been foundational to much of my life and ministry ever since, I have spoken of it many times since. It came the night before we were due to start the very first week of what has become a major national conference ‘Detling.’ I had been worrying a little about how I’d get on as a speaker when we had various ‘big names’ booked to speak and I was feeling intimidated. Then God stepped into my dream…here are my notes from when I work up (the secret of getting revelation is to value what you get – rather than just forget it).

WALKING WITH THE KING Dream: 16th August 2000

I was stationed on duty outside a great palace like Buckingham Palace, dressed like one of the soldiers in ceremonial dress with the Busby hat on – as an ex police officer I’ve done my fair share of standing still and ‘guarding!’

Suddenly I was aware that I had a new assignment. I was to escort the King across the road to a very important function he was attending in another part of the palace. The King appeared in a nearby doorway and I saw that he looked very old and majestic (like any good King would). The Ancient of Days.

old_king

He told me to take his hand, and then he actually leaned his weight on me as he came down some steps. I felt such an incredible sense of privilege as I was walking with him. Even though it seemed every TV camera in the world was aimed on him as he came to the great event, as we walked along holding hands it really was just the two of us.

The King warned me about the road and the dangers on it, and I thought the dangers would come as a result of being so near the world. But then a car came round the corner driven by a Christian I know, packed full with other Christians. As they pointed at me walking with the king they came close to actually knocking us both down- although I knew I was safe with the King (I was supposedly guarding him)!

As we got near the pavement on the other side of the road, the King took us off in the wrong direction, away from the ‘very important function’ and toward a garden. ‘But your majesty, we’re supposed to be going to the function,’ I said. He replied, ‘There’ll be time for that. Right now I want just you and I to walk in the garden hand in hand. I love this garden, and there are gardens I’ve placed all around the grounds so I can walk with you any time.’ I woke up.

Now of course as you’ve read this it’s been obvious to you who the King is hasn’t it? It was only when I woke up and i thought, “Wow – I was with the king of england” that it hit me that England doesn’t have a King at all!

It was a great dream that still stirs my heart all these years on as I recall vividly I had a huge sense of privilege that I had been so intimate with the King of kings and Lord of lords. It put earthly ‘stardom’ in its proper perspective and helped me get over my insecurity standing next to any other human being.

No matter what duty you’re stationed at today- the King wants to take a walk in the garden with you. He wants that more than he wants to do anything else. It’s the most important thing for him.

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Jan 24 2009
angel, Bible, Christianity, Church, Demons, Faith, Healing, Heaven, Jesus, Prayer, Religion, REVIVAL

How much to get rid of a demon?

Following a few links, I was intrigued to stumble across demon-slayer.org

These people (I don’t think you can find out who they are other than first names, but they have a great line in anonymous recommendations) will travel the world and use secret knowledge revealed to only 7 people to get rid of your demons, apparently.

How do you know you have demons? Well they list  ‘creepy feelings,‘ or ‘feeling like someone is pressurising you to do certain acts‘ on their SYMPTOMS page.  I got that off their site!

Every day now I pass a big billboard advertising the new ITV Demons programme where Philip  Glenister (the guy who played Gene Hunt in Life on Mars) has some new – more other worldly opponents to take on. This stuff is on people’s minds in our culture.

Now don’t get me wrong…

1) We don’t battle against flesh and blood. When we see some of the evil in the world I don’t think many of us would think it too much of a stretch to believe the Bible’s warnings of a personal malevolent force at work, as well as a great and good God. My recent visit to Haiti confirmed that for me.

2) I think a lot of what we struggle through is because of spiritual attack. I’m grateful for the prayers of protection many pray for me and my family – we have over the years been on the receiving end of spiritual attack; it should be the norm if you’re being any kind of threat to the kingdom of darkness.

3) People often come to Christ with all kinds of oppression and torment in their backgrounds and often need prayer to walk in the full measure of freedom Christ has for them. In many parts of the world this spiritual reality is just a given, though we rationalistic westerners ignore it at our peril.

4) I have personally seen many people taken from depression and gloom to joy and freedom; destructive habits and overwhelming guilt has been defeated by simple prayer and declaration of who they are in Christ (often with Communion). I have also prayed in many homes and other places having been invited in by people in fear because of ‘ghostly goings on’ etc. There has never been any contest by the way – we have victory in Christ!

The answer is not to call in the New Age demon-slayer guys, who cobble together various religions and none to combat evil with own  their goodness. By the way, they charge $15,000 for an exorcism, or $3000 to clear a room of bad smells etc., and replace it with ‘beautiful energy.’ That’s a lot of money for air freshener – and travel costs are on top. Or they’ll sell you a candle that keeps demons away for only $150 (plus shipping). They are very clear that ‘you are paying for their time and not any guaranteed results.’

Read Mark 5 and compare the Jesus method:When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. No contest!

You want freedom? It’s in Jesus. Knowing him and being known by him and walking in obedience to him. Not just knowing about him.

Acts 19:13-15 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day) the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

Want to know a real secret? 1 John 4:4

He that is IN US is greater than he that is in the world.

No contest. The key to being free (and setting others free too) is to know Who you serve now – and who you are. To help that we’re about to start an evening course by Neil Anderson which I’ve found really fantastic. Here’s what it says about itself: The Freedom in Christ Discipleship Course is designed to help every Christian grasp the truth of who they are in Christ, resolve personal and spiritual conflicts through genuine repentance, and move on to maturity.

The course is free and we give free nibbles and coffee. By the way, results are guaranteed.


demons-pics-from-the-show-8e0a47c2-1688-48ca-a967-d54b90279b79

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Dec 20 2008
1 Comment
angel, Bible, Christianity, Church, Friends, Jesus, leadership, Prayer, Uncategorized

When curses are turned to blessings

I don’t know if you’ve got any enemies? I have a lot of friends but there have been people who oppose me – and one in particular has been a pain for a number of years.

I forgive, time and time again. Things seem to get better and it goes quieter, then another salvo.

Behind this person, I see that I’m not wrestling against flesh and blood. Here is someone being used by the devil to try to distract me from God’s good purpose. They themselves are desperately miserable as a result – because even while they try to curse me, as a chosen child of God, he turns it into a blessing every time!

You may know that happened in the bible? Numbers 22 & 23. A guy called Balaam was more interested in money than following God. He was paid, as a Jew, to curse God’s people. The king of Moab (Moab is a type of the flesh) who’s name is Balak (he’s like the devil) fears God’s people but God makes it clear to Balaam that he is not to curse those whom God has blessed.

He goes anyway – but on his way to curse Israel, Balaam’s donkey stops and refuses to move. The donkey can see an angel blocking the way which the man can’t see. A conversation results between man and donkey! (This is good news for us preachers- if God can use a donkey to speak…)

Finally, Balaam reaches his destination – and Balak shows him God’s people encamped. He perfoms sorcery and sacrifices then opens his mouth to curse Israel -but he blesses them instead! “How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?”

From thebricktestament.com

King Balak is furious! “I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!” He takes Balaam to a place where only part of the people can be seen (divide and rule! An age old strategy). The enemy always wants to point out any weak spots or division in us doesn’ he? Now surely there’ll be a curse? He tries again:

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.

Finally Balak takes him to a place where he can only see the rubbish of the camp. (Anyone eager to point that out in your life? Guess who sent them!). It must be easy to curse when all you can see is the negative.

“How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel”

Uh-oh thinks Balak!  ‘ This isn’t going well….’

Like valleys stretching out in the distance, like gardens planted by rivers, Like sweet herbs planted by the gardener God, like red cedars by pools and springs, Their buckets will brim with water, their seed will spread life everywhere.

“May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!”

Parts of Balaam’s blessing (Ma Tovu) now form part of the daily Jewish morning service. They turned it around! Isn’t God great? May those who bless you be blessed today. And may all who would curse you have Balak’s frustration - as God blesses you anyway!

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Dec 15 2008
3 Comments
angel, Bible, Christmas, Faith, Heaven, history, Jesus, leadership, Prayer, Religion, Uncategorized

Virgin Birth defines history

The famous American TV interviewer Larry King was once asked whom he would most want to interview, if he could choose any one person in history. His answer was: Jesus Christ.

Then he was asked – What would you like to ask Jesus?

“I would like to ask Jesus if He was indeed virgin-born. The answer to that question would define history for me.”

That’s why J John says, ‘The hinge of history, is on a stable door in Bethlehem.’ That’s how important this is!

Maybe you’re not sure yourself whether it ever happened, or why it really matters. But it’s vital to get that question answered. Because if it really happened, Larry King’s right – it’s the most important event in history, because it shows how different Jesus really was.

It tells us that GOD has come to earth! And here’s why this is absolutely critical to the Christian message – the conception of Jesus Christ in this manner, the virgin birth. Why is it so special? Well, it is unique in all the history of humanity – because He is!

This is the only time this has or ever will occur. This is critical to the gospel.  This is critical to Christianity, because it tells us about the nature of Christ – that HE is both God and Man!

He had to be born of God to be Son of God.

He had to be born of a woman to be Son of Man!

He had to be born like us to identify with us.

And He had to be born as God to be able to save us from our sins.

So Mary who is human and God who is divine – are brought together – and the baby born in Bethlehem is born of God and of woman. He’s not just a good man. He is God and Man. Unique! He’s the God-Man!

And the nature of Jesus Christ as God and Man is at the very heart of the Christian faith. That’s why the Christian faith presents, as an historical claim, the fact that Jesus was born of a Virgin—a special Being who came in a special birth. If anyone denies the deity of Jesus Christ, that’s not a issue up for denate, because they’ve destroyed Christianity beyond recognition.

I’m afraid for many (including preachers, theologians and church leaders) the Virgin Birth is thought of and spoken of as a metaphor or symbol these days, a nice story to make some religious people feel more hopeful. But people are embarrassed about the idea of examining it as an historical claim that actually happened.

It’s a shame when those who are supposed to lead seem to have less faith than the average non Christian – last year one poll discovered that more than a third (34%) of Britons believe that the virgin birth really happened. Only 32 per cent said they believed that the statement “Jesus was born to a virgin called Mary” was fictional. 52 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that the birth of Jesus was significant and 72 per cent of people agreed that the birth of Jesus remained significant culturally.

Obviously from a human perspective, it’s not possible. Mary herself said to the angel, “How can this be – since I’m a virgin?” which shows that having questions is fine. But people don’t just want us sharing our questions, and they have enough doubts of their own! It’s time for us to stand up and declare the truth of the angel’s reply as he reminded her, “Nothing will be impossible – with God.”

annunciation

That’s good enough for me. It was for her! If an all powerful GOD is in the equation, then all solutions are available.

This Christmas let’s emulate Mary’s faith, “Let it be to me, according to your word.’

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Dec 09 2008
1 Comment
angel, Christmas, Community, Faith, Family, Healing, Heaven, Jesus, leadership, Manchester, Prayer, Religion, REVIVAL

Thinking Bigger

Supersize me!

Our God is able to do more than all we can ask or even imagine. That’s what my Bible says. Surely if we believe it, we should be thinking bigger and believing bigger?

Ask something.

Now ask bigger!

Imagine something.

BIGGER!

We had a great prayer meeting here last night for our Christmas services.  As part of it we’ll be doing two carol services in the Trafford Centre, the 4th largest shopping centre in the UK! We’ll be there a week on Sunday in ‘The Orient’ – their 1600 seat food court.

How cool is this?

How cool is this?

The 21st will be the busiest shopping Sunday of the whole year and they expect there’ll be more than 7000 actually there on the day.

The fact is, that first Christmas Jesus came to a very busy place, where people were gathering and crammed in! We will do some events that are attracting people to come to us here at Ivy, but these two events are us taking the real message of what Christmas is all about to where people are – not where we’d want them to come.

The Trafford Centre staff and management could not have been more helpful to us, we’ll be having a great orchestra and choir, loads of good videos on the big screen and and area for people to be prayed with just off to the side of the stage about anything they want to.  I’m looking forward to a fantastic day.

Isaiah 54

2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.

4 “Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.

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May 10 2008
1 Comment
angel, Bible, Church, Faith, Healing, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Jesus, leadership, Prayer, Religion, REVIVAL

When God comes to church

When we were in Lakeland they kept talking about how you could ask for and receive a burning coal, to take back with you to where you’re from. Of course that’s coming from Isaiah 6. It was the year King Uzziah died. That king had a long and (mostly) distinguished rule of 52 years. He became king at the age of 16 following his father’s assassination. He started out really well and was faithful to the LORD for a long time – that is the measure of a governmental success in scripture – and during that time he and his nation prospered.

Unfortunately one day he made a terrible mistake, when he entered the temple to burn incense, a duty reserved by the LORD for the priests only. Pride comes before a fall. It says, But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. (2 Chronicles 26:16)

He was confronted about his sin, got angry instead of repentant – and ended up a leper, living out his last days in tragic isolation, while his son Jotham ruled in his stead until he finally died.

Lesson? Don’t try to light your own fire! Don’t step outside your anointing! How often do leaders try to light something or set something going themselves when God hasn’t commanded or empowered them? Uncommanded labour is just tiring and leaves you empty, disillusioned, powerless and lonely (been there, done that, got the t-shirt).

So when Isaiah went into the temple, he was probably at a very low ebb. A wise and good king who’d started well but finished terribly had died. The nation’s in mourning.

But then, unexpectedly, GOD WAS THERE! Imagine, finding God actually in church! It’s amazing where he might turn up you know :)

What happened when God came? He saw the Lord on his throne of glory, High and lifted up – and his train filled the temple! He saw strange visions of angels, the seraphim heard them calling and declaring the praises of God in worship. That whole huge building quaked and shook!

Surely if that was available under the old covenant, we should not be surprised as believers in a greater covenant that when God manifests his presence it’s with similar and even greater glory? If the ministry that brought death…came with glory… will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? (2 Cor 3:7 & 8). Why would you be surprised that he who shook the temple causes people to shake? Why would you doubt that the angels who are ministering spirits sent to serve us who inherit salvation still come – and that people of faith still see them and hear them as did believers and sinners and even a donkey?!

Does not the Lord still inhabit the praises of his people? (Ps 22:3 NKJ). And is Jesus the same, yesterday, today and forever; mighty to save – a healing, miracle working God?

When God came to Isaiah he came with conviction, with cleansing, and then with a call. My friend Mark Stibbe has been emailing me about his time in Lakeland as he’s there right now. I will leave him to publish his own assessment but yesterday he reminded me, “the Holy Spirit is the limitless and unlimited presence and power of Almighty God. And he is uncontainable…”

Isaiah found that whatever the nation looked like, the real King was still on the throne that day! The length of a king’s robe signifies his majesty. Our KIng’s robe filled the temple!

The angels cried out, “Holy, Holy Holy!” Why? Some scholars say it’s because in Hebrew one way to express a superlative is by repetition. For example, we say, ‘good, better and best.’ But in Hebrew you could just repeat the word to express a superlative, similar to ‘Vanity of Vanities’ or ‘King of Kings.’ Other say it’s just a chant, Holy, Holy, Holy – because He is! So if anyone complains that the worship chorus is too simple, tell them you’re just trying to do it like the angels.

That recognition in the worship of who God really is brings conviction. “Away from me Lord, I’m sinful!”

Spurgeon said, “God will never do anything with us till he has first of all undone us.” Isaiah became undone before he could do anything,

That was certainly something I felt in the very simple worship at Lakeland. No great band, showy flashing lights, or technological paraphernalia (all great stuff, but if I want that I’ll go to see Oasis). All there was when the presence of God was most powerful and tangible for me was a lady singing, a keyboard and drums. Sins committed recalled, but not to condemn – to cleanse and restore.

Oh, and angels ascending and descending. That evening when Hannah was healed, in the worship, I had a vision of angels dropping down gift after gift on me, I thought ‘that’s wonderful’ – but I knew it wasn’t it. There was even a bicycle among the gifts, and that’s one of my favourite things!

Then I saw them bring a golden word from God, a page from the Bible, I thought, ‘That’s fantastic!’ – what more could a preacher want? But then I knew it wasn’t it either.

Then the Lord gave me his heart.

That’s it! Those who hunger and thirst WILL be satisfied.

A burning coal ( a ‘live’ coal) comes from the altar. What Uzziah could not do, God does. He brings the fire we cannot and should not try to self generate. He convicts, He cleanses, and then the call. “Who will go?

After conviction comes cleansing, and after that comes a call. I said, “Me Lord! I want a coal! I want to burn for you! I’ll volunteer! (That’s one of the reasons I’ve got my hands up!). Send me! I don’t just want to go, I need to be sent by you. Commissioned to fulfil the call.”

He said, GO!

Last night, we held a meeting at the place where we meet for L1FE, which ran well over three hours, and it was so – well, easy. When the Spirit is there, there is liberty. No hype, just God coming to church. Hannah gave her testimony, I preached because this has to be founded in scripture, and then the Lord took over. The coals are starting to ignite in the UK.

An email I recieved this morning says, this:

Along with I hope many others, may I share with you what happened to me last night? During the worship I several times felt a gentle tingling all over me and a need to try to sing in tongues. I asked for prayer from Emma … and during that time I felt her hand really warm on my shoulder. I couldn’t actually hear what she said because the singing was too loud, but it didn’t matter. When I got back to my seat I started shaking all over for several minutes, and in the next worship time I did sing in tongues…wonderful release ! I have not felt the Spirit like this before….

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