FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE: >>C:NEWS WOMEN’S ADVANCE AND BIBLE COLLEGE GRADUATION >>MAKING A DIFFERENCE (PART 2) – GERRI DI SOMMA >>I AM NOT MY OWN – MICHELLE DI SOMMA >>MEN’S ADVANCE >>YOUTH CAMP AND MUCH MORE...
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SERVICES SAT 18.30HRS SUN 08.30HRS SUN 10.30HRS CONTACT CARMEL:CENTRE 817A BATH ROAD, BRISLINGTON, BRISTOL BS4 5NL T: (0117) 977 5533 F: (0117) 977 5678 W: WWW.CARMELCENTRE.ORG ‘HE SENT THEM TO PREACH THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND TO HEAL THE SICK.’ LUKE 9:2 EXECUTIVE EDITORS: GERRI AND MICHELLE DI SOMMA, PRODUCED BY: WWW.CRE8ION.CO.UK PRINTERS: YEOMANS PRESS Bible quotations are from the New King James Version unless stated otherwise.
c:view LATEST NEWS 3-5
G DI SOMMA TEACHING
PRAYER WORKS
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M DI SOMMA TEACHING 9
And of course, God continues to answer prayers in ordinary, ever day life, healing, protecting and meeting people’s needs (page 9). The teaching articles (pages 6, 10 and 12) in this issue emphasise the importance of developing and sustaining Christian character which identifies us with Christ and equips us for life. carmel: bible college Graduation features on page 5. It is exciting to realise how many nations we impact year after year as students come to study the Word and then return to their country of origin. We were recently invited to Italy to conduct the marriage ceremony of a former Bible College student and then to ordain him. We later ordained two more of our former students who are also there in ministry as church leaders. Thank God for all that He is doing in and through us. Finally, we hope you will join us at our annual conference ‘aGodthing!’ (page 3). Whether you attend carmel: regularly or you are a visitor, you will be most welcome.
GERRI AND MICHELLE DI SOMMA
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BELIEVERS’ BAPTISM ‘BASICS’ CONTINUES WEEKLY ENDS 16TH NOVEMBER DIVORCE CARE CONTINUES WEEKLY ENDS SUN 14TH DECEMBER THUR 16 – SAT 11 POSTIONED FOR BLESSING FAMILY TRANSFORMATIONS
6.30PM 9.00AM – 10.00AM 7.00AM – 8.00PM
WED 29 – NOV 2ND LIGHT A GOD THING CONFERENCE NOVEMBER FRI 7 DECEMBER SAT 6
CARMEL: FIREWORKS NIGHT
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MEN AND WOMEN’S EVENT VALIANT MEN AND EMPOWERED WOMEN FRI 12 SCHOOL CONCERT THE BIG SPIN YOUTH EVENT FOR ALL SAT 20 & SUN 21 CHRISTMAS PLAY TUE 23 & WED 31 CARMEL: OFFICES CLOSED THUR 25 CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE WED 31 NEW YEARS EVE PARTY JANUARY THUR 1 BANK HOLIDAY FRI 2 CARMEL OFFICE OPENS
ACCOUNT DETAILS
SOUTH AFRICA Anchor Ministries International First National Bank, Cresta Branch Sort Code: Account No: 25-49-05 51440080590
10.00AM – 12.00PM 7.30PM 6.30PM 9.00AM – 10.00AM 9.00AM
8.30AM
APPROX. 4 MILES TO BRISTOL CITY CENTRE
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Should you wish to donate by Gift Aid please contact the church office.
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UNITED KINGDOM Allied Irish Carmel Christian Centre Sort Code: Account No: 23-85-85 00709260
carmel: ministries international is a registered charity (Charity No. 1094052) with Luke 9:2 as its mission statement. All finances sown go into the work of establishing God’s Kingdom through evangelism and preparing labourers for the harvest.
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EVENT
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PARTNERSHIP IN SHARING – The whole ministry of sharing is to give oneself in the areas of love, time, talents and finances.
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PARTNERSHIP IN CARING – We are instructed to watch over and take care of the partners in our charge (Acts 20:28).
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PARTNERSHIP IN PRAYER – We believe it is vital for every partner to develop a strong personal prayer life, and to pray for the leadership for godly wisdom and direction from the Lord.
YOUTH CAMP
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PARTNERSHIP IS IMPORTANT – It releases power to get the job done. We can accomplish the Great Commission together in unity.
MEN’S ADVANCE
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This summer season was packed with outdoor activities promoting fellowship and community. Local residents joined us for a Football and Family Fun event in Filwood (page 3); we hosted both a Women’s and a Men’s Advance (pages 4 and 14) and carmel: youth enjoyed their annual Youth Camp (page 15).
A PARTNER IS A SHARER, an associate, one who engages with another in business, one who plays on the same side as another.
G DI SOMMA TEACHING
ALL TEACHINGS IN THIS EDITION ARE ABRIDGED. FULL VERSIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO ORDER ON CD OR DVD.
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BRISLINGTON PARK & RIDE
TOWARDS BATH
FROM BATH Follow A4 towards Bristol, bypassing Keynsham, to the Park-andRide (on your left) on the outskirts of Bristol, just before traffic lights. At these lights proceed straight (in outside lane) for approx. 150 yards (McDonald’s on your right). HSBC Bank follows on your right. Immediately before the Bank, take the driveway along its right, between the buildings. carmel:centre is behind HSBC. FROM M4 J19 Proceed towards Bristol along M32 to J3. Leave M32 at J3 heading left onto dual carriageway, following signs for A4 and Bath. Approach next roundabout in left lane and continue to follow signs for A4 Bath, to traffic lights. Proceed straight on and over a high level bridge, descending to another roundabout. Proceed straight on, in right hand lane, to next roundabout. Leave this roundabout to the right with Sainsbury’s on your left. Keep in left hand lane and go straight on at next two sets of lights which come a short distance apart.
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FILWOOD PRESENT
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SUP YOU COM 7-AS WIT THA
CATCH UP ON THE LATEST HAPPENINGS AT CARMEL: BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE WWW.CARMELCENTRE.ORG OR EMAILING US ON INFO@CARMELCENTRE.ORG
A GOD THING! CONFERENCE 2008 ‘LIGHT’
JOIN US AS WE MEET IN THE LIGHT OF GOD’S PRESENCE. (Details on the back page).
carmel: theme 2008: Invading the darkness... Establishing the light.
the righteous runs to it and are safe.’ Proverbs 18:10. There in God’s presence we find all we need.
carmel: mission: To go boldly where God’s presence is denied to reveal the One who is the Light of the World: Jesus.
This has been the evidence of previous ‘aGODthing’ Conferences. The presence of God, quite literally, has made a world of difference for so many. There are those who discover depths of healing and wholeness that transpose their lives from mediocre to ‘without measure’.
carmel: conference: ‘Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.’ Genesis 1:3. The light of God’s presence covered the earth before sun and moon gave it day and night. And as the light of God’s presence embraces the believer, the power of His Spirit enables them to fulfil their calling, do the works of God and advance His Kingdom. It’s not a ‘named’ speaker that makes a conference a success. ‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
It is an event where God meets people at their point of need, inspires people to be everything He has made them to be and breaks through the darkness that has descended on some and denied them the glory of living the extraordinary life He has planned for them. This Conference will be a celebration of the true Light, Jesus; and a glorious experience of God’s powerful and life-changing Word through international speakers, prophecy and the varied gifts of the Spirit.
CARMEL FUN DAY AT SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT Football and face-painting may seem a strange combination, but it was far from strange when the seven-a-side football competition took place at Filwood Park Playing Fields, Knowle West, Bristol in August. The carmel: team in blue narrowly missed out on the quarter finals and the weather stayed dry as the various teams provided excitement and entertainment for those who watched. DESIGNED BY www.cre8io
carmel:
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MINISTRIES ENT... FIELDS AND CARMEL FILWOOD PLAYING ’S ANNUAL FOOTBALL TOURNAM PRESENT FILWOOD
This time it’s all about...
TEAM AND SUPPORT YOUR AS THEY YOUR LOVED ONES YEAR’S THIS COMPETE FOR D TROPHY 7-ASIDE FILWOO THE FAMILY WITH MORE FOR THAN EVER!!!
Fields Filwood Playing Creswicke Road t 2008 Sat 23rd Augus 10.00am – 4.00pm
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BBQ ICE CREAM FACE PAINTING TUCK SHOP E BOUNCY CASTL
C:VIEW SPORTS NEWS ... carmel: utd win first ever league game 7-2 ...
The event was organised by Filwood Sports Association and carmel: ministries international and provided all with another opportunity to put something positive into the Knowle West community. Along with the tournament there was a family fun day organised by carmel: which included a large bouncy castle and face-painting for the children. Also there was fresh food from the BBQs, sweets, snacks and drinks to buy. carmel: café was open in Filwood Broadway nearby for people who wanted something more substantial to eat.
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EMPOWERED WOMEN’S ADVANCE
TO THE MANOR BORNE Most of the women who attend carmel: and a number of women from other churches joined together for the ‘Empowered Women’s 2008 Advance’ from 12th to 14th September to celebrate God’s presence and open their lives to His amazing grace. In the accommodation that once was a Police College, built behind Chantmarle Manor, a 13th Century Grade 1 listed Manor House, the women gathered knowing God would speak and meet them at their point of need. The weekend ministry also involved recreation, and this included a full size indoor swimming pool, games and beautiful countryside providing an ideal setting for walks, fellowship and rest. But there was a team game which had its own unique excitement.
best.’ Helen pointed out how different it is with God. God’s grace draws us into an intimate relationship with Him out of which we are able to run our race with grace, looking to Jesus and not allowing our situation or circumstances dictate the pace or direction. POSITIONED THROUGH GRACE FOR FAVOUR Through God’s grace, people supply our needs; the primary way we receive God’s favour is through man. First we must position ourselves, and Sally Quintanilla used the life of Ruth to illustrate this. Ruth positioned herself to receive God’s favour by sowing her life to benefit Naomi. Boaz noticed her selflessness and offered her marriage, which secured her own and Naomi’s future. Today we read of Ruth in the lineage of the Lord Jesus Himself.
r u o i v a s e n t e S f e r e e b , y J e s m u s e ’v I , e n o g e r a ah ins ed me, and like a flood, His me rcy reigns sn om g love, amazin ruoivaS y n g gra i d n m suseJ ,eerf tes neeb ev’ Iun,eenog ce era s ekil dna ,em d niah a f l o o d , iH emo s m e r c y sn sngier , e a v o m l a g nidne iz n g nu cearg
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RUN THE RACE WITH GRACE Helen Owens asked three questions concerning grace: What is it? How do I receive it? and Why do I need it? ‘Take the ‘g’ out of the word ‘grace’ and you have ‘race’,’ she said, ‘and we live as if we’re in a competition, racing against the clock, or even competing with others trying to be first and
GRACE ABOUNDING In overseeing the Advance, Pastor Michelle spoke the word of grace into many lives. She encouraged the women to push into God’s presence, to hold nothing back and clear the way so they may receive the full impact of God’s love. ‘Arise, let your heart arise to new life, let the Son of God revive you,’ she said. She also encouraged the women to realise that each one of them is His and not to draw back from Him, but draw near. Nothing can separate you from His love. Draw from His love and let His grace work in and through you. Grace abounded at the Advance as seen in the worship and the response to ministry as well as to anointed words which touched individuals specifically. It was an Advance, a moving forward into the purposes and plans of God empowering the women again as they ‘live in a new found liberty because of the chains that had been broken and lives changed,’ Pastor Michelle said. ‘Women have been revived and personal revival is always the basis of a greater revival.’
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GOD’S GRACE TO ALL The speakers with Pastor Michelle Di Somma were Fatima Sibanda, Helen Owens and Sally Quintanilla all of whom majored on the grace of God. ‘Grace is God’s favour,’ Fatima pointed out. ‘It also means God’s ability, help, glory, pardon – I am being set free instead of getting what I deserved,’ she added. ‘Grace is Jesus Christ. He is the grace of God.’ It is only God’s grace that can make us all that He has prepared for us. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which He prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10. And it’s all God’s grace working in us.
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF God’s Word is the Sword of the Spirit and ‘Word in Season’ is God’s vehicle for proclaiming the power of the Gospel to the nations. The ‘Word in Season’ monthly message on CD
is available for you today. Contact the ‘Word in Season’ office at carmel: centre. You can also view our catalogue online at www.carmelcentre.org/awordinseason
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It is a key characteristic of carmel: christian centre that it is a place where people from all around the world gather to honour God and grow together as His people. There is no better display of this than at the carmel: bible college Graduation, a ceremony full of colour and celebration before God, a ceremony in which the true meaning of the College motto, ‘Seize the Day’, is so effectively demonstrated for all to see.
Rev David Beebe from Michigan, USA, was the guest speaker. He placed his initial emphasis on each student being a vessel fit for God’s use so that out of their innermost being will flow rivers of life. Then he moved the emphasis to what James chapter three says about the tongue and its importance in determining the direction of a person’s life according to whether we speak the word of God or not.
The 5th July was the students’ evening, the culmination of hard work, commitment and a period of time which was for the majority the most life changing period of their lives. When the music played that heralded the students, they entered with a slow and steady step to take their places, and once the leading flag-bearers paused centrally on stage, the assembly stood for the National Anthem.
The students then received their diplomas and awards and following the students’ anthem another great celebration came to an end as students and guests intermingled, sharing the joy of the occasion.
The Graduation Ceremony was opened in prayer followed by Michelle Di Somma reading letters of congratulation from leaders around the world, and regional churches in the UK, as well as letters from previous students.
It was also a proud moment for carmel: bible college, the Principal, Pastor Gerri Di Somma and the Dean, Pastor Sean Leask having come to the end of another successful year. For his leadership and inspiration, his teaching excellence and godly wisdom, the college and others said a particular thanks to Pastor Gerri by presenting him with a motorbike, something that had long been on his wish list.
Pastor Gerri then addressed the students: ‘Don’t do anything without God,’ was his initial challenge. He emphasised the need for God not to be just in what we perceive as the ‘spiritual’ things of life, but that it is important that He is directing us in the nitty-gritty of daily routine as well. Underlying all this, Pastor Gerri reminded the students that faith was not a formula, but an abiding relationship with the living God. In that relationship they would experience an abundant life and be fully equipped for whatever God had prepared for them.
This highlight of the carmel: year, though repeated each year, carries with it the individual joy and expectation of each student, whoever they are and wherever they come from. Though the form of the occasion is repeated, it is very much an individual prize, its meaning uniquely centred in the heart of each one. For each one has paid an individual price for the privilege of meeting with God in the rigors of study, discipline, academic achievement and the work of the Holy Spirit which is central to the whole purpose of the College. 5
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RUN FOR THE PRIZE: IN THE SAME WAY THAT JESUS MADE A DIFFERENCE WHEREVER HE WENT, GOD WANTS US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE SPIRITUAL CLIMATE OF ANY SITUATION IN WHICH WE FIND OURSELVES. In the last issue of 24:7 we wrote about the character of God and showed how we can make a difference in our communities with Him in our lives. In this issue we will continue to look at character. We need to examine our character because God places higher value on character than on gifts. It’s a great tragedy in today’s society that there’s moral failure all around us. How are people going to recognize Jesus in the lives of Christians now that this moral failure has crept into the church? Sadly, people in general are no longer shocked to hear of churchgoers committing adultery or behaving in a corrupt manner, yet, on the other hand, they expect people who identify their lifestyle with going to church to uphold a high standard of morality. CHARACTER DEMANDS THAT WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR ACTIONS The apostle Paul is a prime example of how one man can make a difference to the whole world and change the course of history. It’s Paul who tells us that, ‘…everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.’ In other words he is disciplined and controlled in everything he does. ‘Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the
air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.’ 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 Notice that he says, ‘I discipline my body’. People often say to me, ‘Pastor, please pray for this thing to stop hindering my life, pray that anger be taken away from me’. But I can’t cast out your flesh and lusts. You must discipline your flesh. I cast out demons, not flesh. The demons come and ride on the back of the habits that you have established in your life, and are empowered by them. The responsibility for disciplining our bodies and bringing them into subjection to God is ours. What makes you think you can eat 400 hamburgers then ask God to take the fat in your body away? It was your choice to eat the hamburgers, and so you carry the responsibility for the consequence. We also need to take responsibility by not spiritualizing things we do. We mask gossip by calling it ‘sharing’ or ‘fellowship’ and don’t face the reality that gossiping is a major character flaw. We say, ‘Brother (or sister) I need to share this with you…’ when in fact we are itching to cannibalize another poor brother or sister’s reputation. The Bible says that when you talk about others, you are eating chunks out of them. You wouldn’t eat their flesh naturally, so why eat their reputation?
>>WE LIVE IN A MORALLY BANKRUPT SOCIETY THAT HAS BECOME SO ENAMOURED WITH GIFTING, TALENT AND PERSONALITY<<
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TEACHING BY GERRI DI SOMMA CHARACTER IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN GIFTING
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In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul teaches Timothy the difference between character and gifting. He says, ‘…commit these to faithful men who will be able…’. We live in a morally bankrupt society that has become so enamoured with gifting, talent and personality that we applaud and idolize people with great charisma, such as musicians, actors and sportsmen and we excuse their moral failures. This is the challenge, because people would rather live their gifting than establish their character.
In 1 Corinthians 13:11 Paul writes: ‘When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.’ The word ‘man’ means ‘mature’ and maturity comes with accepting responsibility for the moral decisions of your life.
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Character will take you where your gifts can’t keep you
Gifting is God’s responsibility, character is your responsibility. You can’t say to God, ‘God, build my character’. For example, your gifts or talents may get you the job, but it’s your character that will help you keep it. How many times do people get great jobs but their characters fail them? This happens in not bringing themselves into a place of submission to God’s standards. >>02
Character is the vessel that gives the gifts credibility
Your character is the vessel that establishes God’s gifts, values and morals and that will carry you through any adversity that comes against you. It is character that will give you the reward, the inheritance and the crown that God promises you. >>03
Character gives power to spiritual conviction
While gifting can be developed in public, character is built in private by the moral decisions we keep with conviction. Character is developed when in solitude we come to conviction concerning God’s word and we make the decision that ‘no matter what, I’m going to live by God’s standard’. Conviction is the settled matter of the heart, and this means spirit, soul and body are in agreement. Too often, rather than making decisions based on God’s Word, we make preferential decisions based on feelings, saying, ‘I will do this as long as it suits me’. FACTORS THAT PROVE CHARACTER Everyday the Word challenges us to make decisions based on the moral standards of God. For example, there is something seriously wrong with your moral values if you have been working in a company for 6 months and nobody knows you’re a Christian. You can’t live the standard of God on a Sunday and then from Monday to Saturday live like the devil. We will never change our world or see Christ glorified if we’re compromising the standards of God.
Taking control of your life proves character
You need to accept responsibility for disciplining your own flesh. The power of the Holy Spirit will break the power of addiction, but if you’re not willing to discipline your flesh, all you are doing is inviting that addiction right back again. God promises to take away the pressure, to take away the devil’s control in your life, but you need to accept the responsibility of doing something about it. Otherwise, there will be a perpetual cycle of deliverance, failure, captivation, deliverance, failure, and captivation…. A person demonstrates childishness when they are always demanding their own way, throwing temper tantrums and being manipulative, unreasonable and not willing to reason. Making rash decisions is another sign of childishness. Accepting responsibility for failure as well as victory is also a substance of character. Proverbs 28:13 says, ‘He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy’. God is a merciful God but we must be willing to accept the responsibility of failure. >>02
Conviction in crisis proves character
Conviction will always outlast crisis. Crisis does not build character but proves what moral decisions you have made in private. When a crisis comes, do you depend on God and God’s character in you to overcome the crisis? Joseph is an excellent example of a godly character. Joseph was sold into slavery, lied about by his employer’s wife and was forgotten by his friends but he remained steadfast in his conviction concerning the purposes of God. Even when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him he said he would not sin against God. It was the moral standard of God in his life that kept him focused. Genesis 50:19-21. God moves in accordance with His word, not in accordance with your opinions. God will bless what He designed and what He has ordered. >>03
Faithfulness in stewardship proves character
Faithfulness begins with your faithfulness to God then to the environment that God has put you in. The passage in Luke 16:11 asks, ‘how can God commit to you riches of the kingdom when you can’t show yourself faithful in what belongs, in the natural, to another man?’ (Paraphrase.) 7
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People want position but they don’t want the accountability that goes with the responsibility. God first measures you in your family relationships. Your wife or your husband doesn’t belong to you, they belong to God. Ask yourself, how faithful are you in your stewardship of them? How well are you taking care of them? And, what about your children? We become unfaithful stewards if we don’t teach them the ways of their heavenly Father and raise up moral standards in them. The Bible says this about the qualifications for ministry: ‘If a man desires the position of a bishop (overseer) …must be blameless, the husband of one wife… one who rules his own house well… (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?). 1 Timothy 3:1-5. Jesus is a godly steward of His bride, the church. He is perfecting us and continually bringing about His design in us and God wants us to follow Jesus’ example in our relationships in order to bring about perfection in each other’s lives. Being a godly steward requires us to fulfill the calling that God has on our lives without shirking. If you are not fulfilling God’s calling, ask yourself if it is because you don’t really care for the things of God, or you don’t care for the body of Christ. It is that faithfulness, character, esteem, and the reality of God in you that will take you where gifts can never keep you. They will prove the standard of God in your life, which will bring about the rewards of God. God rewards godliness not gifting. Why? Because He gave you the gift, He only rewards what you do and develop in your life, namely the development of His character and His nature in you. HOW OTHERS WILL SEE GOD’S CHARACTER IN US Godly character can only come when we have the right relationship with God. Your value to God is in the Christ-likeness of your character. A man who has learnt to honour God privately will show God’s character publicly.
>>A man who has learnt to honour God privately will show God’s character publicly.<<
Love for His Word, obedience to His commands, intimacy in His worship, abandon to His desire and unity in fellowship with believers is the reflection of God’s character living in us. Let us live our lives saying, ‘Lord, how can I be a blessing to others, how can I bring your character and minister to those around about me?’ People who are serious about God will imitate your decisions of character. People who are not serious about God will mimic your gifting. We will make a difference when others see us standing fast in moral decisions and every other stand that we take for God. 24:7
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PRAYER WORKS
NIGHTGLOW
THESE FOLLOWING PRAYER TESTIMONIES REVEAL THAT GOD IS AT HIS CLOSEST WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF SURROUNDED BY DARKNESS
Joanna Di Somma
David and June Clapp
Eight years ago I went on holiday to Spain and while there I unfortunately got verrucas all over the bottom of my feet. Trying to get rid of them was a horrible process, because the verrucas didn’t go and went really hard on my foot. I tried every process I could, whether it was having them burnt off or different ointments and I even tried banana skins; I was seriously desperate. I used to love running and it was really painful on the bottom of my feet and they spread to my fingers as well.
A few weeks ago David, who had had a stroke some while ago but was substantially healed following much prayer, had a funny turn in Carmel’s coffee room. We came to church on the Sunday morning even though David had a bad night the night before. During the break between the two morning services we went to the coffee lounge. David went up to the counter and then suddenly collapsed. He was completely out of it. Some thought he had gone altogether.
I’d prayed loads, but I didn’t receive any healing. Then I saw on a previous ‘Prayer Works’ that a young lad’s verrucas had been totally healed. So I said, ‘Well, if God could do it for him, He can do it for me.’ So, one Sunday, I went up for prayer and since then they have completely disappeared. And if you had seen the bottom of my foot - it was covered in loads of calluses, but now my skin is totally clear. It’s an amazing miracle. So I just wanted to say that prayer really, really works.
Pastor Gerri was nearby talking to some visitors and when he heard what had happened he quickly came to where David was. Immediately Pastor Gerri and some of the leaders prayed for David and Pastor Gerri rebuked the foul spirit of sickness and disease and commanded life into Dave’s body. Straight away Dave came round and we put him in a chair and gave him some water to drink. Afterwards we went home and that night David slept well and was just fine the next morning.
John and Sarah Pearce An amazing thing that happened one Sunday. After church, John and I prayed as we normally do before we go on a journey, and as we travelled towards Tetbury to my brother’s family we heard a loud clicking noise in the car and it made the car sound really unsafe. What we found was that one of the wheels was about to fall off. We were very shocked, particularly since a day or so before we had had the car serviced. We went back to the garage where the service had been done. They were very apologetic, reimbursed us the money paid for the service, arranged that they would do the next service for no charge, and did needed work on the car to the value of £200. So God did protect us as we had prayed. And we had prayed that God would provide for the work to be done on the car as well as the service. Not only was that prayer answered but another car service was added. So we just want to say: Prayer really works.
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YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19: ‘OR DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO IS IN YOU, WHOM YOU HAVE FROM GOD, AND YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN? FOR YOU WERE BOUGHT AT A PRICE; THEREFORE GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY AND IN YOUR SPIRIT, WHICH ARE GOD’S.’
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WE DO NOT BELONG TO OURSELVES
God and that then we are empowered to walk in the things He has prepared for us.
Let me illustrate some important principles. Branding helps a cattle owner identify which steers belong to him. When a steer lies down it lies with the branding uppermost so it can heal. Laying this way becomes a habit and as a result the branded side becomes thicker and tougher, able to take the extremes of the elements better than the unbranded side.
When I truly believed I was not my own, the lights started to go on for me. I wanted everything that God had for me in His plan for my life. Then certain things just became easier because I was experiencing the reality of what God had done.
We were slaves to sin until God paid the price to redeem us from that slavery. Now we are His and His alone and the price was the brutal death of Christ on the cross. What is clear from this is that we no longer belong to ourselves to do just as we please; but we belong to God and must do as He pleases.
The steer gives favour to its branded side by leaving it exposed to heal and toughen up in the face of the elements. Similarly we need to favour our new birth experience. We have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:13. It is there that we come into a relationship with the Lord, a relationship to be favoured as the beginning and end of everything. Or is my life cluttered up with other things that I consider more important?
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WE HAVE BEEN BRANDED BY GOD
In Ephesians1:13 we read, ‘…you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.’ We have been identified as belonging to God through being sealed with the Holy Spirit. This means we are marked out as being different and this difference should clearly be evident in our lives.
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WE MUST FAVOUR OUR BORN AGAIN EXPERIENCE
Your relationship with the Lord needs to be the most important thing in your life. It should be as necessary and immediate as the very breath you breathe when you wake up in the morning. He is with you always.
Though the seal of the Spirit doesn’t produce physical pain, there is much we have to deal with because we are redeemed. On the one hand we are challenged by the Word of God to become like Christ. On the other hand the enemy, Satan, tries to tear us away from God. Both the challenge and the opposition can be painful to us as we bow to God’s will and resist the devil.
I favour my relationship with the Lord by giving Him first place in everything. Romans 12:1: ‘I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.’ In this way I express my devotion to Him. My waking breath each day is, ‘what would you have me do today, Lord?’ instead of running through a catalogue of things I’ve arranged or mentally rehearsing all the things I ‘must do’.
To respond effectively to these things we must know with conviction that we are not our own and belong entirely to
Brother Lawrence, who was a lay brother at a Carmelite monastery, if he realised he hadn’t made God central to
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TEACHING BY MICHELLE DI SOMMA
whatever he was doing, he’d start all over again. Why? Because he wanted to practice the presence of God.* We too must favour our relationship with God for out of that relationship comes every good thing. >>04
WE MUST EXPOSE OURSELVES TO THE WORD OF GOD
We must also expose ourselves to the plan and purpose of God revealed in His Word. Many of us are careless about God’s Word making it a low priority in our lives; yet the Psalmist says, ‘Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.’ Psalm 143:10. Many cry out for God to reveal His will for their individual lives because they can’t find it written out specifically for them in God’s Word. But the unknown will of God will remain forever unknown until we are living His known will as revealed in His Word. Then God will speak to us about His unknown will. Some interpret or manipulate Bible content so as to read in favour of what they want. That leads to destruction. Instead, delight in God and His Word. Jeremiah 15:16 says, ‘Your words were found, and I ate them, and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by your name, O Lord God of Hosts.’ Properly digested healthy food strengthens, sustains and causes us to grow. Similarly, we must feast on God’s Word and do what He says so it becomes part of us and instinctively produces in us a godly response in all situations. *
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WE ARE TO WELCOME TESTS AND TRIALS
We don’t like this one; we’d rather tear the pages out of the Bible and move on. James 1:2-4 says, ‘My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.’ Tests and trials can be far from comfortable, but they are very necessary if we are to be strong, healthy believers. James 1:3 says, ‘…the testing of your faith produces patience.’ The word ‘patience’ refers to steadfastness, perseverance and endurance. This is what the Father works in us when we embrace tests and trials. Instead, we often count these as something terrible, a time to cry, to fall apart, to be miserable, to murmur and complain, and a time to get cross with God because things are not happening the way we want them to happen – and some even turn their back on Him. However, until we get to the place where we count it as joy, we’re not going to pass the test and we’ll have to sit the test all over again. So why not learn how to count it all joy and move on with God and receive with joyful thanksgiving another opportunity to prove the goodness of God? So, how about you? Will you live on the basis that you are not your own but belong to God having been sealed by Him? Will you make your relationship with Him your number one priority, constantly exposing yourself to God’s Word and ways so that you are complete in Him? Let this be your constant confession: ‘I am not my own, I belong to God alone. 24:7
‘Practising the Presence of God’ by Brother Lawrence is available from carmel: Bookshop. 11
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WORLD CHANGERS: THE JAC ‘Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face.’ Psalm 24:3-6. ‘Jacob’ means ‘contender’. This self-reliant supplanter contended for God’s presence and blessing and became ‘Israel’, a Prince of God. In like manner, the Jacob Generation are those prepared to ascend the mount of the Lord and contend for the presence of God so as to receive God’s ability to become world changers and meet the needs of those around them.
MOUNTAIN-TOP EXPERIENCES THAT CHANGED THE WORLD >>01
NOAH AND THE MOUNT OF SALVATION Genesis 8
The name ‘Noah’ means ‘a wanderer’ and a wanderer just does things his own way. Such a person needs to lay down his life for God and wait on Him for His salvation. Dealing with the mountain of self is painful, and it’s no coincidence that Ararat has often been referred to as ‘the painful mountain’. Noah stayed inside the ark after landing on Ararat and waited on God concerning what to do and when. To have gone ahead of God would have caused much damage and in all probability also meant that we wouldn’t be here today. ‘But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength….’ Isaiah 40:31. ‘Waiting’ means becoming entwined with God, hidden with Him in the place of salvation, which the Ark represents. Wait on God continually, become empty of self and filled with His Spirit in order to be empowered to do the works of God. >>02
ABRAHAM AND THE MOUNT OF SACRIFICE Genesis 22
God tested Abraham telling him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on Mount Moriah. ‘Moriah’ means ‘seen by Yahweh’. By obeying Him, Abraham contended for righteousness and God looked to see what he would do. “…for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me.” Genesis 22:12. God provided a ram as a substitute.
The main sacrifice we must make is the sacrifice of ‘self’. Look and see what God sees. ‘Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified.’ 2 Corinthians 13:5. Abraham would have disqualified himself if he had not obeyed God in this. God will test you too and the outcome will depend on what you are contending for.
Contend continually for God’s presence and His righteousness and all you need will be added to you. >>03
MOSES AND THE MOUNT OF SANCTIFICATION Exodus 19
‘Moses’ means ‘saved from the water’ and ‘Sinai’ means ‘listen for the unknown’. We are saved from something to something and to get there we must contend for the instructions of God. The unknown is not revealed until we are doing what’s known. In living by the laws revealed at Sinai, Israel was assured of a unique relationship and future with God. Salvation comes freely, but then we must work out our salvation: ‘…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.’ Romans 12:1-2. Who renews your mind? You do. This sanctification leads to a life lived according to the will of God. Therefore, you must contend for the renewal of your mind. >>04
DAVID ON THE MOUNT OF PROTECTION 1 Chronicles 15
David means ‘beloved’ and ‘Zion’ means ‘fortification’, a place of protection. It was David who brought the Ark to Mount Zion where it was protected. Everything that represented God to the people was there, so it became the centre of worship. It was in Jerusalem, Zion, that the disciples came together as one to wait on God for the power to be His witnesses. ‘… they were all with one accord in one place … and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…’ Acts 2:1,4. There, at the centre of worship, the disciples received power to become world changers. Contending for God’s presence through worship makes us agents of change, and, as a result, we carry His presence and anointing into the world. We become a ‘missionary’ wherever God places us.
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TEACHING
ACOB GENERATION >>05
BY GERRI DI SOMMA AT THIS YEARS YOUTH CAMP 2008
ELIJAH AND THE MOUNT OF PROVISION 1 Kings 18
‘Elijah’ means ‘my God is Jehovah’ and Carmel, ‘a place of provision and fruitfulness’. The issue on Carmel was, ‘Whose God is God?’ Contending against the prophets of Baal, Elijah built his altar to God using twelve stones, a number representing government and order. To declare God as your God is to proclaim His sovereignty over the gods of this world and that you can depend on Him for your provision. In this we see that we must contend for the truth of God. We are to confront the false prophets. The presence of a cross on a wall or a person does not mean that the true God is represented there. We are not to be intimidated by anything that departs from the truth of God. Only God’s government and order is going to result in the provision of a future worth having, an eternity in the presence of God. DO NOT DESPISE YOUR YOUTH Here I speak particularly to the younger generation. Jeremiah tells us of a conversation he had with God when he was young. God said, ‘“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Then I replied: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you…”’ Jeremiah 1:5-8. God will reveal His plans and give you the ability to fulfil them if you contend for His presence, whatever your age. Or are you a wanderer, just doing your own thing? Does God see you as surrendered to Him? Are you open to change and being aligned with God? Are you on the outside when it comes to worship, content to let others do what has to be done? Or are you content to compromise in the hope that you won’t have to contend openly for the truth?
>>receive God’s ability to become world changers and meet the needs of those around them<<
Learn from Jeremiah that when God calls you He gives you the ability to do what He says. Learn from Jacob who contended for the presence of God that waiting in God’s presence will make a world of difference to you so you can make a difference in the world around you. Conclusion We cannot do without God’s presence because it is in His presence that every thing begins and is fulfilled. It is there also where you get the ability to do what God tells you to do. Therefore, continually contend for His presence and become all He has designed you to be. 24:7 13
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MEN’S MINISTRY
MEN AT WORK THE SITE The Men’s 2008 Advance took place on 25th to 27th July at what has to be one of the most advantageous and pleasant parts of the River Wye. A Christian farmer and his wife had made their riverside fields available to carmel: for the previous two years because of their enthusiasm for what’s happening with the Youth, and this third year enjoyed many improved facilities.
A CHANGE FOR THE MEN Instead of the annual Men’s Advance being held at a typical conference centre, it was with insight and inspiration that Pastor Gerri decided to give the men at carmel: the opportunity to encourage and support the carmel: youth by preparing their annual Camp. So instead of comfortable beds and traditional meals there were tents, tarpaulin, spit roasts and stew. As one person said, ‘The misty view across the Wye reminded us that the comforts of home were far away.’ WORKING TOGETHER There was work to do. Some of the Youth planners joined the men to make sure they ‘got it right’ when it came to setting up the site. A priority was the army tent which housed the large kitchen and food storage area – no meals until that was up. The men heartily applied themselves; some wielded chainsaws, others prepared the spit roast and barbecues. Others built a platform for the Youth band, connected toilets and showers, and wiring and sound testing in the large main tent opened the way for memorable times of praise and worship. There was a lot of one-on-one discussion and the great team spirit kept everyone motivated. The whole event over the long weekend was jovial and entertaining despite the hard work, and eating played a significant role in the overall satisfaction of a job well done. THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD Early morning devotions established a sound basis for each day. Saturday started with a journey to a church in Newport, South Wales, to join them for their Men’s Breakfast where Pastor Gerri was the guest speaker. Back at the main site, early evening meetings were full of worship and wonder as the men freely expressed their devotion to the Lord. The two keynote messages preached by Pastor Sean Leask and Pastor Ken Suckling provoked, challenged and inspired the men to energetically pursue the call of God on their lives and not to back away from the vision when situations were tough and Satan attempted to divert and deceive them with a more comfortable way of living. SUMMARY There was less formal ministry than in previous years, yet, as one put it, ‘In reality it was a deeply spiritual weekend even though it was in a more social environment.’ ‘The Advance,’ said another, ‘provided meaningful fellowship, enlarging our appreciation of one another as we embraced each other in the business of setting up camp.’ Serving the Youth this way was a privilege. It gave them more time to pursue the central purpose of their being on camp, to grow together in the vision of God for them through their individual and corporate encounter with God. For the men it was about being together with one purpose, one body determined to complete what they had started and achieving much more than expected. 24:7
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YOUTH MINISTRY
YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR WORLD, A BOLD STATEMENT TO INSPIRE THOSE BETWEEN 11 AND 30 YEARS TO ATTEND THIS YEAR’S YOUTH CAMP CALLED ‘INVADING THE WYE? 27 JULY TO 1 AUGUST’. WITH A NEW LEADERSHIP, RALPH AND JO DI SOMMA, THIS CAMP WAS DUE TO BE DIFFERENT FROM PREVIOUS YEARS. THE SITE PREPARED BY THE MEN’S ADVANCE TOOK A SUBSTANTIAL LOAD OFF THE YOUTH WHOSE FIRST TASK AT EVERY CAMP HAD BEEN TO SET UP THE SITE.
A REVISED FOCUS More than any previous year, there was a bigger focus on the evenings. There were plenty of activities in the day, but the evening meetings were central to the whole event. ‘The whole year since we’ve taken over the Youth we’ve been pushing towards what Pastor Gerri has been preaching concerning having an encounter with God, experiencing the manifest presence of God in your life,’ Ralph said. He went on, ‘We wanted to make Youth Camp a point of connection with God. We wanted them to have an expectation of something.’ IT NEARLY DIDN’T HAPPEN Monday night was a very interesting meeting. Ralph stopped the worship after the second song. ‘The focus was on the band. It was as if we were there for entertainment and we had forgotten what worship is all about,’ he said. ‘It was as if we were worshipping God the same way we have done in the past yet were expecting a different outcome. So we stopped the band and got everyone to worship God their own way, whether that meant they jumped around, got on their knees, spoke in tongues, whatever it took to get into the presence of God. We did that for a good half hour or so.’
THIS SET THE TONE FOR THE WEEK It changed everything. If nothing had been said, it would have been the typical Youth Camp, people jumping up and down with a little bit of emotionalism, but no significant change. Tuesday revealed the difference and Wednesday there were no musicians at all, just vocalists, and the meeting was ten minutes short of four hours. The speakers at the various meetings didn’t really keep to their topics but there was such an overlap and a continuation each night to what was being said; things just flowed. 15 young people were baptised in the river. Many were clearly changed people after the Camp. IT WAS ALL ‘ON PURPOSE’ ‘In mind all the time was that the purpose of the Camp was to facilitate an encounter with God, so they can be the change in someone else’s life,’ Ralph said. ‘And that’s the point,’ he continued. ‘It’s a case of, sort yourself out and get full of God so that you can go and make a difference in someone else’s life.’ He emphasised how important it was that the change they experience in Youth Camp is sustained. ‘That’s why everything about the Camp is integral with what’s going on within the Youth Ministry as a whole and not just another event to keep them on board,’ Ralph added. 24:7
‘God called me to evangelism. There was a great presence of God. Great fellowship.’ ‘I learned the power of confession and that God doesn’t care about how you worship him but desires for you to be genuine and literally honest.’ ‘I realised God is with me and he wants me to be myself and no-one else. He is my Father and always for me.’ ‘God ministered through me to some of the younger people, which was really cool. I left youth camp refreshed and with a fire in my chest to proclaim his name.’
‘It was a time to get away from everything that distracts me from God and just focus on him. And it’s also where I’ve developed some of my best friendships.’ ‘The leaders were very supportive and I loved the team atmosphere. I got a revelation of how powerful unity really is.’ ‘I must do what God said, because God said.’ ‘It was the best time of my life. I understand now how we can change the world.’
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