Atmospheres

You know when its good and you certainly know when its bad!

You know when someone has gone to the trouble to create atmosphere in a home – it’s inviting, soothing, peaceful, refreshing and relaxing.

I’m a great believer in creating an atmosphere, a dwelling place for God to fill the space.

Jesus often created space for His Father to fill Him – He got up early and went off to pray, He spent all night in prayer, He went off alone to be with His Father.

Do you do anything to create a space, to create an atmosphere for God to fill it?

One way that has been amazingly effective for me over the years is creating an atmosphere of “live” praise and worship CD’s. In that space I am inspired, energized, refreshed and feel close to God.

What do you do?

(Photo Courtesy of Mark Beeson)

This is a great prayer for us to be praying!

“The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,

the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly,

the oracle of one who hears the words of God,

who has knowledge from the Most High,

who sees a vision from the Almighty,

who falls prostrate,

and whose eyes are opened:

Numbers 24:15-16

The Presence of God

I have a confession to make – I love the Presence of God!

David the only one ever described, as a “man after God’s heart” loved the presence of God more than anything else! It was his one desire above all other desires – Psalm 27:4.

When we declare His greatness and His magnificent works, something happens in our hearts and the atmosphere around us. He comes, makes Himself real to us and empowers us, to go and make Him known. For too long the Church has survived on the “where two or three gather in my name there am I in the midst.” But there’s no tangible difference – people leave the same way they came. The time has come to hunger after His manifest presence! Is anyone else hungry?

Look at the difference after Pentecost – the difference was night and day! The Presence of God is a conscious awareness of the revelation of who Jesus is - His Word and Works. "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Everyone was in “awe.” It was the difference maker then and it is the difference maker now!

Develop your presence of God taste buds by:

-          - Choosing to be a worshipper – daily listen to “live” worship CD’s,

-          - Meditating in His Word and then obeying it – have a plan to read the Bible,

-          - Praying and fasting – sharpens us and helps us connect with God,

-          - Being still in His Presence – listening and waiting with expectation!

(Photo courtesy of Mark Beeson)


Remember

Remember ...................... the day when you gave your life to Jesus for the first time.

Remember ...................... where you were.

Remember ...................... who you were with on that day.

Remember ...................... the change you felt in your heart.

Remember ...................... the joy and excitement you experienced.

Remember ...................... the delight you discovered in reading God's Word and how the verses jumped off the page and spoke to you.

Remember ...................... how excited you were to memorize Scripture.

Remember ...................... the thrill you experienced when God answered your prayers.

Remember ...................... the anticipation in attending Church for the first time as a committed follower of Jesus - you wouldn't miss it for anything.

Remember ...................... how disappointed you were when the service finally concluded - you wanted more.

Remember ...................... how it was no bother to you to attend extra meetings because you were hungry to grow.

Remember ...................... how thrilled you were to be a part of God's family and you loved hanging out with your new friends.

Remember ...................... what it was like to "seek first His Kingdom."

Remember .......................................

Imagine

Recovering .................... what you've lost

Recovering .................... that sense of "awe."

Recovering .................... that love for God's Word.

Recovering .................... the joy of praying.

Recovering .................... that anticipation when you come to Church.

Recovering .................... the holy hush of worship.

Recovering .................... the amazement of God speaking to you as His Word is preached.

Recovering .................... your expectation of God doing great things for you and for others.

Recovering .................... the love you had to serve others.

Recovering .................... the thrill of knowing Jesus.

Just wanted you to know that this is how I am praying for you all this week. I'm believing God is going to touch your life in new ways and recover ..........

Gateway Worship has delivered another awesome worship CD - this is a Church that values and pursues the Presence of God, and this comes through in this recording! You can download it from iTunes or purchase it from gatewayworship.com.

Christchurch, New Zealand - Here We Come

Many of you are aware that our home city has been devastated by an earthquake. Since the 7.1 quake in September 2010, there have been over 4500 aftershocks, the latest (6.3) being on Tuesday February 22nd at 1.00PM.
Jenni and I will be in Christchurch this week visiting family and friends. Please pray that we may be able to encourage them in the midst of this overwhelming tragedy.

Thought you might be interested in the National Anthem of New Zealand - the words are awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvg1wgGufeg&feature=related

The Tragedy of the Lack of Knowledge

(Photo courtesy of Mark Beeson)

This last week I had the privilege to hear Dr. R.T. Kendall preach at a conference in Orlando. It was vintage R.T. preaching! He shared on The Tragedy of the Lack of Knowledge from Hosea 4:6 - "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge!" Lack of knowledge of:

- God's Word
- The Will of God
- God's Ways
- God's Wisdom
- The Works of God.

What is the destruction? We will be yesterday's man or woman!
The challenge to me was to deliberately up the time I spend with God.
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you O God.
My soul thirsts for God. Where can I go and meet with God!" Psalm 42:1-2