Let's fly higher

I remember my first Stoneleigh bible week as though it were yesterday. The sense of joy, excitement on the car journey there, the awe at endless rows of tents, caravans and banners announcing a church's name, it really felt like, “terrible as an army with banners” from Song of Songs.  My highlights were the big meetings, thousands packed into cow sheds worshipping, listening and open to heaven. 
Lives were changed, we fell over and laughed in the Holy Spirit's presence, we saw miracle after miracle. Amazing times!

Westpoint does the same number on me every time I arrive on site, 50 plus churches with their tents, flags and banners, rooting us back to our Newfrontiers history but also our faith history, “living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him in the same promise”. Hebrews 11: 9.
Westpoint reminds us of our history, it encourages and facilitates outworking community and it aligns us to God’s big plans for the world around us and for each believer and each church. 

Everyone gets to be blessed, from the youngest child who gets wonderfully saved or a 7 year old who steps out in a spiritual gift, the teenagers hearing God for a nation, the parents surrounded by loving friends with Godly counsel and the over 70’s hearing God has a new adventure for their lives. 

Last year Westpoint finished with a prophetic encouragement as churches and a movement to fly (like the Red Arrows) without limits, to soar, to spiral and to link up in new formations as the Holy Spirit directs. 

I am praying for an incredible move of the Holy Spirit at Westpoint 2016, more power, more healings, more unity and great prophetic clarity as I share about  'Truth to Tell' about sight and the local church. 

This is a wonderful time for us all to come to be a blessing as well as be blessed. Please don't miss it, come expecting great things from God so we might attempt great things for God.

More blessed to give than to receive

Well known parts of the bible bounce around our minds like confetti on a windy day and can be quoted at key moments of confusion or difficulty.

Recently I found the words of Jesus “it is more blessed to give than receive” tripping off my tongue. I caught them, stopped and reflected asking myself “is this true of my life”? Would I rather give £1000 or receive £1000?

No brainer.

What about forgiveness, would I rather someone apologise to me or I apologise to them?

Even something as simple as encouragement! Do I go to church hoping some keen believer will say something kind and encouraging to me, “great preach last Sunday”, or do I come prepared to speak these life words to my brothers and sisters.

The U.K. society is fragmented, marriages break down, close friends leave and abandon or just plain overlook the other.  

Churches can easily fail in this area of building community because all too often we demand more from others than we are willing to invest. Like the banking world we want friendship prosperity but because of our massive demands and unrealistic expectations of others these friendships are destined for meltdown and bankruptcy .

Tragically members make their way to the exit or sit forlorn on the” lonely step”!

In the Christian family, the church, we need to rehearse with faith that “it is more blessed to give than receive”.

This alone has the power to revolutionise our churches in Commission. Every member coming to community group and Sunday's with a bag full of gifts, words of encouragements, cards, groceries,  presents and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We work hard and sacrifice to make sure others know they are loved, valued and needed.

Don't wait for someone to leave before thanking them or asking them over for dinner, you be the blessing.

It is more blessed to give than receive, chew on this.